The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued an order allowing women to drive, ending a long-standing policy that’s cast an unflattering light on the country’s treatment of women.
It’s also a royal opportunity for global automakers eager to make further inroads into the Middle East’s biggest economy.
Saudi Arabia’s move to open up its auto market to about half of its 32 million total population will have a profound impact on vehicle demand, driving habits and even immigration patterns in a country where low-wage immigrants from Bangladesh and the Philippines often work as hired drivers.
“This is very exciting,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with car-shopping website Kelley Blue Book who worked in Saudi Arabia for more than two years. “It’s not going to be without obstacles, but it’s a huge step forward in terms of Saudi Arabia recognising the contributions that women can make to the economy.”
Uber also could benefit from a new pool of potential drivers. The government also has a vested interest in seeing the company succeed – Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund is a major investor.
“We’re proud to have been able to provide extraordinary mobility for women in Saudi, and are excited by the economic opportunities this change could represent for them in the future,” Uber said in an emailed statement. About 80 percent of the company’s rides in Saudi Arabia are for women.
Celebrations rock Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world with a ban on female drivers. The country’s Muslim leaders defended the ban as religiously motivated, but it’s been ridiculed and derided around the world.
Other activists who took part in the protests celebrated the announcement by tweeting out a list of the women who defied the government rule against women behind the wheel.
“The will for women to drive has finally come. We, the Saudi women has the freedom of mobility,” tweeted Madeha al Ajroush.
In 1990, Madeha al Ajroush and 46 other women did something revolutionary. The group dismissed their drivers and got behind the wheels of cars in downtown Riyadh. “We just drove the car,” she told NPR years later. “It was exhilarating. It was great.”
For their rebellion, the women were fired from their jobs and denounced in local newspapers. They were banned from traveling outside the country.