As of today, June 24th, Saudi women are allowed to get behind the wheel. Media reports mention that this is a historic day after decades of women not being able to drive in the Kingdom.
NBC reports that a number of Saudi women got into the driver’s seat for the first time in their country and drove around the bustling city of Riyadh minutes after the ban on women driving was lifted.
Hessah al-Ajaji, one of the women who drove after midnight once the ban was lifted expressed her excitement about finally getting behind the wheel. “I’m speechless. I’m so excited it’s actually happening,” she said.
Another woman, 54-year-old Aljohara al-Wabli who also drove her son’s car in Buraidah at 12:01, felt speechless. “We achieved history today. I have no words to describe how I feel.”
“This is a momentous time in history and we are delighted to be able to welcome Saudi women ‘to the front’, to the driver’s seat,” Ford Motor Company mentioned in a statement.
Jim Farley, Executive Vice President, and President, Global Markets, Ford Motor Company commented on this historic day stating: “This is a wonderful moment in history for women in Saudi Arabia because the moment you get behind the wheel of your own vehicle, life can change in so many positive ways. We look forward to supporting a whole new generation of women drivers in the kingdom.”
Ford Motor Company also made a video as a way of welcoming Saudi females to the front and into the driver’s seat. You can watch it here.