Women in Saudi Arabia finally hit the road as driving ban lifted
- 6 years ago
Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world that didn't allow women to drive, lifted its ban on female drivers on Sunday.
With that, Saudi Arabian women had their first opportunity to put their hands on the steering wheel.
Hong Yoo reports. Nervous and excited, Saudi Arabian women sat behind the steering wheel, ready to hit the roads for the first time.
When the clock hit midnight on Sunday local time, the ban on female drivers was finally lifted.
That night, the roads were filled with women who celebrated by taking selfies and photos of them driving.
Saudi women who had obtained driving licenses drove around with the flags of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, shouting "Congratulations Saudi girls "
Soundbite (English)
"Actually it was like a dream that came true. It was really very, very happy moment to get my Saudi driving licence and that I will be hitting the road by myself and the roads in my country."
Tahani Al Dosemani, driving to the supermarket for the first time, was one of the first 10 women to receive their licenses on June 4th.
The lifting of the driving ban will bring more freedom and independence to women who had to rely on their husbands, fathers, or other men to go to school, get to work, and carry out other daily tasks that required driving.
The decision to lift the ban is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's sweeping reforms. His "Vision 2030" plan aims to create a new image of a moderate Islamic state, one different from an "isolated oil kingdom" image of the past.
Soundbite (Arabic)
"I would like to thank the crown prince for giving this beautiful opportunity, and thank the neighbouring countries who came to share in our happiness, this is a great moment in history for Saudi women."
More than 120,000 Saudi Arabian women have applied to get their licenses and the Saudi Arabian government has made special preparations to take in the overwhelming number of applicants.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
With that, Saudi Arabian women had their first opportunity to put their hands on the steering wheel.
Hong Yoo reports. Nervous and excited, Saudi Arabian women sat behind the steering wheel, ready to hit the roads for the first time.
When the clock hit midnight on Sunday local time, the ban on female drivers was finally lifted.
That night, the roads were filled with women who celebrated by taking selfies and photos of them driving.
Saudi women who had obtained driving licenses drove around with the flags of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, shouting "Congratulations Saudi girls "
Soundbite (English)
"Actually it was like a dream that came true. It was really very, very happy moment to get my Saudi driving licence and that I will be hitting the road by myself and the roads in my country."
Tahani Al Dosemani, driving to the supermarket for the first time, was one of the first 10 women to receive their licenses on June 4th.
The lifting of the driving ban will bring more freedom and independence to women who had to rely on their husbands, fathers, or other men to go to school, get to work, and carry out other daily tasks that required driving.
The decision to lift the ban is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's sweeping reforms. His "Vision 2030" plan aims to create a new image of a moderate Islamic state, one different from an "isolated oil kingdom" image of the past.
Soundbite (Arabic)
"I would like to thank the crown prince for giving this beautiful opportunity, and thank the neighbouring countries who came to share in our happiness, this is a great moment in history for Saudi women."
More than 120,000 Saudi Arabian women have applied to get their licenses and the Saudi Arabian government has made special preparations to take in the overwhelming number of applicants.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.