Saudi to allow women to drive: state media

Riyadh : Saudi Arabia announced yesterday that it would allow women to drive, state media has said, citing a royal decree. 

The change, which will take effect in June of next year, was announced on state television and in a simultaneous media event in Washington. 

The order - issued by The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - overturned a longstanding policy as social reforms gather pace in the kingdom.

The move was announced on television and also by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the royal decree mandating the creation of a ministerial body to give advice on the practicalities of the edict within 30 days and a full implementation of the order by June 2018.

“The royal decree will implement the provisions of traffic regulations, including the issuance of driving licenses for men and women alike,” the Saudi Press Agency said.

Campaigners have for many years argued that women should be allowed to drive.

In April 2013, Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal ignited the debate by tweeting in favour of allowing women to drive.

“Allowing women to drive will result in saving at least 500,000 jobs held by foreign drivers and subsequent economic and social benefits for the nation,” Gulf News quoted Al Waleed as saying.

Women were also allowed into a sports stadium to watch a musical concert, a move that chimes with the government’s “Vision 2030” plan for social and economic reform.