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The first argument is the traditional women’s rights argument, emphasizing that preventing women from doing that which they can do is oppression, an oppression that must be overcome. It is an ideological position. It asserts that women are more responsible and careful and will actually do the task better than men. This angle risks putting (some) men on the defensive. “It is imperative to teach women the rules and regulations of the road before they are allowed to drive,” Maha, a Saudi woman, tells me. “But I believe that even men should be taught these rules in a stricter form because the men in this country drive in the poorest manner. The traffic police need to crack down on the existing drivers, rather than making excuses that women won’t be able to handle driving.” “I think women are better drivers than men,” notes Rachid. “They are instinctively cautious and wary. Their focus on details makes them not only careful, but also tolerant. Being in this country, I have witnessed how men’s driving is erratic and selfish. I strongly believe that women drivers are needed in this country to restore some sense.” Interestingly, the main argument against issuing drivers licences to women is not one of female subordination or inferiority, but of culture not being ready. Yes, opponents say, women would likely drive well, but society is just not yet ready for the change. Mohammed, who is “100 percent with women driving in Saudi Arabia,” argues that the present poor state of Saudi driving actually warrants not adding to the problem by letting women drive. “The roads are already overcrowded with cars, bad drivers. Plus, there are no women police officers around to deal with accidents or disputes. There needs to be a total re-organizing of the driving situation before even thinking of adding women drivers. Why not sort out our stupid transport system–bad buses, taxis, etc.–first?” Hadeel insists that until the religious establishment endorses granting women licenses, the public will not accept any change. “Unfortunately,” she emphasizes, “a lot of people need the approval of religious figures to accept that women driving is not haram.” The third argument is potentially the most persuasive. It asserts that allowing women to drive will ease the workload of men. It says, in effect, if your wife can drive, then you don’t have to drive her all over town after a hard day of labor. “Well, as a man speaking, I have to drive my mother, sister and other family members to go shopping or to parties or stuff like that,” I am told by Fahad, a Saudi National. “But sometimes we get awfully busy and we have to let them go with drivers we don’t know, which is kind of risky. Besides, women have to share responsibilities with men in driving kids to school and to other activities.” Ahmed, an Egyptian who has lived in Saudi Arabia for fifteen years, emphasizes the expenses associated with hiring drivers. “These days, women have lots of needs that can’t always be fulfilled, as they cannot drive and private drivers are not always available,” he says. “Allowing women to drive will also save on the costs of private drivers.” From the female perspective, Maha, focuses on the dangers of private drivers, the obstacles of finding a driver during emergencies, and the burden placed on men. “If women were allowed to drive, we could do these things [running small errands] without tiring the men. It would also be helpful in emergencies where women are at home alone with their children and need to go to the hospital,”she says. Taxis pose their own dangers. “They are not a great alternative because they can be unsafe for women. Drivers of Saudi nationality are the most unsafe because you aren’t sure where they are really taking you,” Maha points out. “There are many stories about drivers who have kidnaped women. Foreign drivers aren’t much better since they believe you aren’t a respectable woman if you are taking the taxi. Many women have private drivers, but it isn’t the best solution since they are non-mehram [male guardian].” Should women be given drivers licenses, Maha favors a phased approach: “Perhaps for the first five years the mehram should accompany the lady driver. Then, perhaps, the mentality will change and women will be allowed to drive alone. Because, again, it is the same thing–whether you are being driven by your husband, father, etc., or you have him in the car accompanying you.” The legendary songwriter Bob Dylan once wrote, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” In discussing the debate with Saudi Arabians, I am struck not by the discussion over whether women should be given the right to drive, but by the nature of the arguments themselves. Those who affirm overturning the driving ban present an assortment of arguments, positions staked on how the change will help all society, not just–and not primarily–women. The strength of their stance is due to the inherent “everybody benefits” predicted consequences. The weakness of the hold-the-ban clan’ s angle is evident in the way in which they oppose: “It’s not that women can’t drive,” goes the main argument, “it’s that society isn’t ready.” The more one listens to the people–Saudi Arabians–talk about the issue, the clearer it appears that society is as ready as it will ever be. It is not if women will be granted the right to drive, but when. “I don’t think the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be able to maintain the ban for much longer,” says Maha, “because it is becoming harder for the women to live here day by day. Especially, people within Saudi Arabia are Westernizing, therefore pressures are building and they won’t be able to keep the ban for too long.” |
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(International Alliance for Women in Music) Journal; Classical Guitar Magazine; and Sequenza21. In addition to being a writer he is also a classical guitarist. An alumnus of Johns Hopkins University, Mr. Durek, who is of Eastern European descent, believes that conscientious journalism is an essential vehicle for addressing and overcoming racial and religious stereotyping.He is honored to write for AMAANY Magazine, which is a unique voice that aspires in part, to introduce the diversity of individuals in the Muslim world to people of all backgrounds. |
posts: “If a woman can breathe, see, hear, walk, talk and eat like men then why can't she drive?? She is also a human being!” Mohammed, posting on the “Why Do You Think Women Should or Shouldn’t Drive in Saudi Arabia?” page argues: “Its not about if girls can drive.. cos they can & most of the time evn better.. but no way it could happen in Saudi right now.. & not soon evn.” Hadeel’s post, on the “I Think Women Should Drive in KSA” page, takes a different angle: “I think allowing women to drive will benefit both sexes.. and a lot of women already drive.. and drive well.. it is time to relieve the ‘males’ in our lives from their duties as transportation means!!” |
Apart from an affinity for two-dot ellipses and exclamation points, all three posters share a passionate engagement in the debate over whether to grant women in Saudi Arabia drivers licenses. And although it is a heated debate, it is, for the most part, a bandy of well-stated ideas, rather than a battle of truculent ideologies. Saudi Arabia is, after all, the last country on Earth in which women are barred from driving. The question itself feels almost Victorian in its quaintness. (Indeed, “Should Women Drive?” was the name of a Hollywood B-movie, in 1928.) But the question is alive and immanent for an entire society right now, and its answer will tug at cultural tentacles that reach to the deepest crevices of society. The three basic angles, as presented by Zeea, Mohammed and Hadeel, are: 1) Women should be able to drive because they are equal to men, and will likely be better drivers, as male Saudi drivers are poor drivers to begin with. 2) Yes, women can drive, but allowing them to do so will cause disruptions that cancel out any benefits. 3) Granting women the right to drive will actually help relieve the stress on men. |
| Patrick Durek |
| Photo Credits: Maha EZ |