Saudi Woman to Face Lashings for Defying Driving Ban
A Saudi woman found guilty of defying a driving ban in July 2011 will face a brutal punishment of 10 lashings. The woman was identified as Shaima Ghassaniya, according to the Associated Press, and will appeal the sentence. A number of other women have been arrested for similar reasons, including Madihah Al-Agroosh on September 27, and Najla al-Hariri on September 25—the same day King Abdullah announced that women will be given voting rights. Hariri will face trial after being questioned for her role in instigating driving campaigns.
The issue of women’s rights is central to the future of the movement for democratic change that is sweeping the Arab world. Saudi Arabia was the lowest ranking country in Freedom House’s assessment of women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa, which compared women’s rights across 17 countries and one territory in the region. Women are still relegated to second-class status in Saudi Arabia—not allowed to travel, get medical operations, marry, work or drive without permission from a male guardian. Gender segregation is pervasive and strictly enforced, and women are unable to represent themselves in court without their male guardian. Since 2008, the Saudi government has made numerous pledges to repeal or relax the prohibition on women’s right to drive, yet these promises have not been fulfilled and Saudi Arabia is still the only country in the world that bans women from driving. In May 2011, women’s rights activist Manal al Sharif was arrested and detained for more than a week after posting a YouTube video of herself driving.
Freedom House condemns the brutality and legal means used to prevent women from driving, a basic exercise of freedom of movement. The Saudi authorities must engage in true and meaningful reform, and must start by allowing women to exercise their basic rights in an effort to end subjugation and discrimination.
Learn more:
The issue of women’s rights is central to the future of the movement for democratic change that is sweeping the Arab world. Saudi Arabia was the lowest ranking country in Freedom House’s assessment of women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa, which compared women’s rights across 17 countries and one territory in the region. Women are still relegated to second-class status in Saudi Arabia—not allowed to travel, get medical operations, marry, work or drive without permission from a male guardian. Gender segregation is pervasive and strictly enforced, and women are unable to represent themselves in court without their male guardian. Since 2008, the Saudi government has made numerous pledges to repeal or relax the prohibition on women’s right to drive, yet these promises have not been fulfilled and Saudi Arabia is still the only country in the world that bans women from driving. In May 2011, women’s rights activist Manal al Sharif was arrested and detained for more than a week after posting a YouTube video of herself driving.
Freedom House condemns the brutality and legal means used to prevent women from driving, a basic exercise of freedom of movement. The Saudi authorities must engage in true and meaningful reform, and must start by allowing women to exercise their basic rights in an effort to end subjugation and discrimination.
Learn more:
Issues:
Countries: