“We Now Have a Voice,” Say Saudi Women Drivers

Two years ago, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban that prevented women from driving. Ever since, the country has been working on further improving women’s rights, including allowing them to travel abroad without consent from a male guardian.

“At a time when Saudi is invested in empowering us, we’re showing we can take on roles that people previously thought we couldn’t,” says Fayroz Basmer, 26, the first Saudi female geologist at the ministry of industry and mineral resources, who also spent a year and a half as a driving instructor in Jeddah.

Two other driving instructors also spoke about how much has changed since the ban was lifted. Zeina, a 39-year-old driver in Khobar, says, “Now I can travel without consent and even enter government departments without a male guardian. We now have a voice, we have a presence.”

“I’ve taught no less than 60 women since I started teaching and many come to learn because they want independence,” adds Jwaher, 27, who teaches in Riyadh. “Divorced and widowed women now have the option to build their own lives without depending on a man.”