In Saudi Arabia women have constantly been fighting for equality long before the rumble of discontent spilt over to Tunisia and Egypt. Women in Saudi Arabia have been calling for change and have tried to placate the opposition with concession in form of allowance, new social liberties and government handouts they believe that time has come for change. all this are the baby steps to women freedom and according to Bennett (2010), there is necessity to remove any constraint that make women unequal to men when it comes to self-determination in all aspects of life. There are several reasons that justify why women should or should not drive in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Why women should not drive
In Saudi Arabia gender roles are related to tribal culture and Sharia laws (Islamic law). The Islamic law is usually based on the Quran and the teaching of the great prophet Muhammad (hadith). In keeping with, Wagner (2010) Sheria in Saudi Arabia is interpreted according to Sunni form which is referred to as the way of Salaf i.e. the righteous predecessors. The law is unwritten and leaves the judges with untold discretionary power that they use in favor of cultural norms and its variation of interpretation leads to numerous controversies i.e. when women are not allowed to drive vehicles in Saudi Arabia even though driving in rural areas is often tolerated. In reference from Murphy (2010), Saudi Arabia has no formal prohibition on women driving, however, the laws of Saudi requires her citizens to use a locally provided driving license while within the country. Such licenses are not availed to women thus making the situation effectively illegal for them to drive. In addition, most scholars and religious figures in Saudi Arabia have pronounced women driving as prohibited and they have given reasons for the prohibition as;
- Driving involves a woman uncovering her face.
- Driving can facilitate women to go out often
- Driving can lead to attraction with and from non-mahram males like in case of an accident
- If women are allowed to drive cars this may lead to over crowding the streets hence many young men will have no chance to drive
- Driving will be the initial step towards cultural erosion and loss of traditional values like gender segregation.
In general Saudi women are discouraged from using public transport; this is technically forbidden although unenforced for women (Wagner, 2010). This is because even taking taxis or even hiring private drivers may lead to Khalwa (illegal mixing with males who are non-mahran).in respect to the Quran and Saudi Arabia customs it remains lawfully illegal that women should not drive.
Why women should drive
There are several reasons why women should drive; critics have repeatedly rejected the ban on driving on frail grounds like;
- driving is not supported by Quran
- It can be an ordination of financial burden on families which cause the average woman about 30% of total income.
- Driving causes contravention of gender segregation customs, by aimlessly forcing women to hire taxis with male drivers.
- Driving also impedes the employment and education of women both of which necessitates commuting.
According to Wagner (2010) male drivers are regular source of protest on sexual harassment and the public transport has for a long time been regarded as unsafe and unreliable. As such women should be issued with driving licenses and be allowed to drive; I am sure this would be any ones assertion regarding this issue.
If one has grown up in a family without a father, the mother is the head of such family and she would be responsible for taking her children to school hospital and among other institutions that require this form of responsibility. In such cases the thought of a mother being ineligible to driving is incomprehensible.
In a lay man’s point of view is looks like a simple yes or no answer, however this is not the case? When the issue is analyzed deeply in to the subject facts, one may change the opinion. Such are the facts that have been acknowledged by the Saudi women themselves. The matter is far from being resolved and a big step towards gender indiscrimination will be made the moment Saudi people will realize that allowing their female to drive is a progressive move.
Summary for the affirmation
In the time of the great prophet Mohamed according to Murphy (2010), women rode on camels and horses. In other Islamic nations such unwritten laws are not there and women are not banned from driving. In those nations women do not compromise their diffident dressing code to driving.
Summary against
In many cases, if women are issued with driving licenses and allowed to drive, it will open up a very easy opportunity for dating and other marital affairs. In many cases girls may pretend to be out for school and end up in dates and other social events. In fact, give them cars and you will find them in such places.
References
Bennett, C. (2010). Muslim women of power gender, politics, and culture in Islam. London New York: Continuum.
Murphy, C. (2010). Cleric's support for men and women mingling in public sparks furor in Saudi Arabia. Retrieved from: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2010/0413/Cleric-s-support-for-men-and-women-mingling-in-public-sparks-furor-in-Saudi-Arabia
Wagner, R. (2010). The Emerging Power of the twenty something Saudi Woman. Retrieved from: https://sites.google.com/site/roblwagnerarchives/the-emerging-power-of-the-twentysomething-saudi-woman
