Women and the Right to Drive in Saudi Arabia

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Women and the Right to Drive in Saudi Arabia LaQuaysha Greenwell Sullivan University CMM 515: Conflict Theories Dr. Nancy Geist Giacomini 12.12.2013 Abstract Saudi Arabia is the only remaining country on earth in which women are not allowed to drive. Consequently on October 26th, 2013 Women’s Driving Campaign began encouraging women to disobey the laws and take control of the wheel. This movement has had an increasing number of supporters of men and women. Women caught driving have been arrested and are only released under the custody of a male guardian. In addition, these women are obliged to sign a declaration affirming that they will not drive again. Saudi Arabian women began fighting this battle dating back to 2011. Power, injustice, culture and oppression all play a role in this conflict. Background and Overview of the Conflict The majority of Saudi women didn’t even think to change that this was an issue that needed to change until about the last decade (Bager, 2013). According to Bager (2013) initial reports revealed that dozens of women reported driving in the country throughout the day without an incident on October 26th, 2013. “This movement could have a profound effect on Saudi society, the economy and even immigration, which are structured to accommodate a system where half the population cannot go anywhere independently (Bager, 2013)”. At this time, there is not an acceptable form of public transportation available for women in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the distances between landmarks, for instance schools, stores and hospitals, are not always within close proximity to residences. Although taxis are becoming more acceptable, they are not usually sought after. Mainly because the widespread view is that drivers are flirtatious with female passengers, and they seem to gossip to their friends about the female passenger’s family name
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