Saudi king lifts ban on female drivers
His decree overturns decades of sexist policy in the oil-rich nation

Women have been granted the right to drive in Saudi Arabia, following an announcement by King Salman which overturned decades of policy that highlighted the oppression of women by the country’s ultraconservative rulers.
“Following the decree, women will no longer need permission from a legal guardian to get a licence and will not need a guardian in the car when they drive,” The Guardian reports.
“This decree is huge for Saudi Arabia,” BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says. “For decades now, Saudi women, many of whom are extremely well-educated and ambitious, have been waiting for their chance to participate fully in their country’s economy.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Fawziah al-Bakr, a university professor who was among 47 women to participate in the kingdom’s first protest against the ban in 1990, welcomed the “amazing” decision.
“Since that day, Saudi women have been asking for the right to drive, and finally it arrived. We have been waiting for a very long time,” she said.
US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert called the decree “a great step in the right direction for that country”.
It may, however, still face some hurdles before coming into effect. “The biggest issue may be winning the approval of Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi clerics, the most conservative of the Islamic faith,” The New Yorker says.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Quiz of The Week: 30 August – 5 September
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A quick escape, an underground classroom, and more
-
The Week Unwrapped: What does Bake Off say about Channel 4?
Podcast Plus, why are Scottish drug deaths so stubbornly high? And are women in their 30s too anxious about their eggs?
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
Israel-US 'rift': is Trump losing patience with Netanyahu?
Today's Big Question US president called for an end to Gaza war and negotiated directly with Hamas to return American hostage, amid rumours of strained relations
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests