RIYADH: Activists pushing for women’s right-to-drive in Saudi Arabia declared their online campaign a success yesterday.
The kingdom is the world’s only country where women are not allowed to operate cars.
The campaign that began last year and revved up again since the beginning of the month encouraged women to post online images of themselves driving.
Dozens of women have driven and posted during the latest campaign, one activist said, although she knew of only two who hit the streets on Saturday and yesterday as the campaign peaked.
“A day hasn’t gone by without receiving one or two videos” of women driving, said the activist.
Men and women have also posted messages of support.
The activist said she did not want to be named because the interior ministry has threatened her with arrest if she speaks publicly about the campaign.
Last year, activists also focused their demands on October 26, when at least four driving videos were posted on YouTube.
Sixteen or more women were fined for taking the wheel on that day. T
here is a “huge risk” for female drivers, the activist said when asked why more had not posted images of themselves this year. Women have previously been arrested, cars have been confiscated, and one received 100 lashes, she alleged.
“So, women are afraid,” the activist said.
On Thursday, the interior ministry issued a warning to would-be female drivers and their supporters. The ministry said it would “strictly implement” measures against anyone who “contributes in any manner or by any acts, towards providing violators with the opportunity to undermine the social cohesion”.
That means the campaign has had an impact, the activist said.
“I think it’s pretty successful. If we’re getting a reaction, that means we’re effective.”
Sahar Nasief defied the warnings and got behind the wheel anyway yesterday.
“The roads were full of police cars... everybody was on alert,” she said from the Red Sea city of Jeddah after running a 15-minute errand in her car because her driver wasn’t available.AFP
