Comments on: Saudi Arabia: The Women Who Dared to Drive

By: Which Saudi Women are the Best Role Models and Representatives of Saudi Arabia « American Bedu

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:11:35 +0000

[...] professional photographer and psychotherapist. She also gained notoriety as being one of the women who dared to drive on the streets of Riyadh in [...]

By: American Bedu

American Bedu — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:23:11 +0000

Gugu – welcome and thanks for sharing. i am sorry to hear that your experience in Saudi Arabia has not been all positive. It is true in regards to expats who come here, the Kingdom is not for everyone.

Some Saudi women are very content with their lives as they know it and others may likely be the agents of change for Saudi Arabia.

By: GUGU

GUGU — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:01:16 +0000

I’m a 28 year old South African with 2 kids.I’ve been driving for 10 years.When my husband told me women don’t drive in Saudi I just thought He was joking,up until I came here.Well I just can’t live like this that is why my bags are packed as I’m writing this.What I can say is that if Saudi women wants to drive,they can.They need to fight for their freedom,no one else will do it fo them,not their men,since they want to control every move they make.I’ts bad the way things are for women in this place.Saudi women will die before they expirience living.Well as for me my husband can follow us,but life is way too short to be in this prison.

By: American Bedu

American Bedu — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:46:16 +0000

I understand that having the CHOICE is important. Maybe I’ve been in KSA and other countries for too long where having a driver is the norm. I prefer the conveniences of a driver and particularly so here in KSA where not only the driving is chaotic but there are also a lack of sufficient parking everywhere one goes which also needs to be factored in too.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:25:14 +0000

not driving is a problem..one this country should have FIXED years ago. Truth be told, I find myself unable to get out of bed until noon (like today) even though I’m a 5 am morning person, because I know that I can’t get in my car and go for coffee and a leisurely stroll through a cool morning farmers market.

I have to put on a shroud, call a dirty taxi who won’t show up until 10 when it’s too hot, go to a supermarket, and pray that prayer time or a slow and inconvenient checker don’t make me miss my taxi (who usually drives away after a 5 minute wait), and then come home to my women only cell block where I’m not allowed NORMAL social interaction, to sit on the couch or sleep until saturday work time.

this country is backwards and depressing and very likely to go back to the stone age if it runs out of oil..or filipinos and indians. and yet it doesn’t care (not surprising), thinks it’s superior (what a joke), and is completely unaware that none of what it has was earned by the local population.

By: American Bedu

American Bedu — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:09:24 +0000

I can understand your point of view Andrea yet at the same time I am relieved I do not drive here. In some circumstances such as emergencies, yes, I wish I had that choice but daily…I’d rather depend on a reliable driver.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:57:54 +0000

It’s funny. During my orientation to my new job one presenter, an american male, told the women that we should consider ourselves lucky we can’t drive. I almost (almost) spoke up (in front of 100 people)…. so.. we just get to be the helpless dead victims forced to sit in the back seat of taxis with no seatbelts, with NO control over the car, while crazy people play bumber-cars with our lives?! I don’t think so. We’re not lucky. We’re oppressed.

We’d probably be the only ones on the road who don’t drive like idiots.

By: American Bedu

American Bedu — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:09:43 +0000

Andrea, I do not want to disappoint you but do not hold your breadth. There have been such rumors since prior to 1990. Now people say that since King Abdullah is in power and more open-minded (there’s that word again that causes controversy) that women will drive in his time. Let’s hope but in the meantime don’t do anything rash!!

I understand on the frustrations of not being able to drive at least in a practical sense. Earlier this week my husband needed medical attention and we had to wait 40 minutes for a limo to arrive since I cannot drive him to the doctor’s myself. c’est la vie fi al memlika.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:57:03 +0000

It’s November and I’m hearing more and more rumours, now that I’m here, that women are going to be allowed to drive soon. “December”, “early next year, January”, or “soon”. Is there any basis for these rumours because I’m tired of not wanting to get up in the morning because going to do anything (including shopping) is such a pain in the arse. I’m tempted to get a motorcycle and helmet and drive anyway. )

By: delhi4cats

delhi4cats — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:05:11 +0000

I just learned that Reuters chose to pick up this piece:

http://www.reuters.com/article/blogBurst/investing?bbPostId=CzCso0daZ4bnXBEZgr4vZTMqJCzBfe943cTfw0Cz3g3SNjNjwBo