Women Drivers Freed From Jail

Equal rights for women in the Middle East has been a pressing issue for a long time. Saudi Arabia bans women from driving cars; they must be accompanied by a male driver at all times. Their does not specifically state that women are not allowed to drive, just that only men are allowed to receive their driver's license, making them the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. Over two months ago a woman named Loujain al-Hathloul was arrested protesting the ban and her friend Maysa al-Amoudi was arrested shortly after when she tried to help free her. They both are women rights activist in Saudi Arabia. The women both were extremely active and had large followings on social networks. Both of their cases were going to be transferred to the terrorism court based on the comments they had posted on their social media sites. It is believed that because of Great Britain’s Prince Charles visit to the country is the reasoning behind their release.There is growing tension in Saudi Arabia regarding the treatment of women. There have been numerous campaigns against the restriction and many women rights activist have come forth to try and lift the restriction. Social media such as twitter has been one of the main campaign sites. The driving restriction for women has and will continue to be a rising issue in Saudi Arabia until the women of the country receive justice and equal freedoms same as the men of their country. 

Illyana Massey
2/13/15
1:02 pm

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-31449972