There is a lot of excitement and talk about the lifting of the ban on women drivers in Saudi Arabia. Undeniably, it is a move in the right direction but there are a lot of changes that are needed, such as the guardianship rules. These rules mean that a woman must ask the permission of a father, a brother, or even a son, to travel, or even to work.
Also, the right for women to drive must be extended to a younger age group. Even under the new ruling, which comes into effect in June 2018 (plenty of opportunity to put more conditions in place), women under 30 are not allowed to drive, according to my friend in the port city of Jeddah.
My experience with drivers in Riyadh has not been good. It is possible for a woman to take a cab from the airport, which is driven by a man of course, and travel alone with the driver. I did it.
I also took a cab to an ATM in Riyadh, because I had to, even though it was within walking distance from the hotel. A woman alone with an unknown male at night!
And Uber has lost its licence to operate in London, with one of the reasons cited as lack of security. In the UAE, and Iran for that matter, there are at least women taxi drivers.
The reasons for the ban on women drivers in Saudi Arabia have been economic rather than religious. Men, who run the taxi firms and limousine companies, would lose half their income.
An article in Forbes highlights some of the economic reasons behind Saudi Arabia lifting the ban on women drivers.
The Economics Behind Saudi Arabia's Decision To Permit Women Drivers
Today, King Salman of Saudi Arabia issued a decree that the Kingdom will grant driver’s licenses to women for the first time by June 2018. The decree also created a committee of government officers from various ministries to determine the details of the implementation of this change within 30 days. The change must take place by June 2018.
Until now, women were not able to obtain Saudi driver’s licenses. Foreign women living in Saudi Arabia had been able to drive since they first arrived, with Aramco employees and spouses free to use vehicles around Dhahran for more than 70 years. Bedouin women have been known to drive in the desert areas. Also, there are stories of foreign women—including Arabs—driving, especially Kuwaiti refugees during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.
In addition to the civil rights aspect of this decree, the change will have a significant positive impact on the Saudi economy during a period of planned growth and diversification. Zaki Safar, a 33 year old Saudi consultant and longtime supporter of the cause of women drivers said,
I'm glad to witness history in the making as Saudi Arabia has at last slammed the brakes on religious extremism and allowed women to be in the driver's seat. This goes to palpably show that Vision 2030 is a blueprint of not only economic reform, but of social transformation too. Equally important, it demonstrates that even once unthinkable reforms and taboos are now being taken head on.
Women will be able to commute to work and stores more easily. Removing this barrier will surely help the economy as women will now be able to more easily commute to work and to stores to buy anything they want or need. However, the change in this regard might not be quite as drastic as some expect because Saudi Arabia has accommodated the restrictions on women driving in ways such as car services, foreign drivers, Uber and Careem. Within the last year, King Salman issued a decree directing employers to ensure transportation for female employees. Women have long had opportunities to work and shop at malls and other places, but this new decree will, of course, make it easier.
However, the opportunity alone for women to drive is not the only economic benefit of this decree. Safar explained that "the ripple effect of this reversal of the ban on society at large will be hard to overstate. The patent socioeconomic fruits Saudi society will reap as a result as women are allowed the freedom to drive instead of having to pay costly foreign chauffeurs, and as one of the barriers to women employment is broken down are but a fraction of the good this change will usher in."
Another plus for the economy will be the growth of two car households in Saudi Arabia. This will require many households that do not already have a second car (and driver) to purchase a large product and contribute to the economy. Families of means often have cars and fulltime drivers, but middle-class families will become more likely to purchase additional vehicles as more members of the families become drivers.
Introducing additional drivers into a household will produce a noticeable efficiency in lifestyle and economic activity. In a society in which only men can drive, men are often tasked with all of the errands, shopping and transporting family members, including children, women and elderly. After June, women drivers will be able to share more of the responsibilities and chores outside the home. This will increase overall efficiency.
The prohibition on women driving has been seen by many in the world, especially those in developed economies, as a unique identifier of the Saudi Kingdom. This has always introduced the possibility of negative public relations for any international business wishing to operate within the Kingdom. It also made some foreign business-people, many of whom are women, uncomfortable. In June, that obstacle to foreign investment will apparently be lifted. This is particularly important at this juncture as Saudi Arabia seeks to attract foreign investment for economic growth and economic diversification. Safar predicts that the decree "will open more doors for Saudi women to shine and succeed. All this would be conducive to the realization of Vision 2030."
Ellen R. Wald, Ph.D. is a historian & scholar of the energy industry. She consults on geopolitics & energy. Her book, Saudi, Inc., will be published in 2018 by Pegasus Books.