In late October, 16 women were arrested for taking part in a high-profile protest that against Saudi Arabia’s ban on female drivers. Over 60 women took part in the protest by driving their cars to protest the driving ban.
Unfortunately, it appears that their effort has yet to prevail since a woman was recently arrested for driving her father to the hospital.
The Kuwaiti woman was driving her diabetic father to the hospital in a Chevrolet Epica when she was pulled over in an area between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. She told the police that it was a matter of emergency as she needed to take her sick father to the hospital. She added that her diabetic father could not drive and needed to be taken to hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, the officers remained unsympathetic.
The Kuwait Times newspaper reported that the Kuwaiti woman was detained and is now being held in custody pending an investigation. The report however, did not indicate if the woman’s sick father made it to the hospital.
Kuwaitis and Saudis seem to have close ties with one another, with people from both sides crossing the border on a regular basis. However, Kuwait is way ahead in terms of female rights – women are allowed to drive, vote and run for political office. In Saudi Arabia, women aren’t allowed to travel abroad alone, open a bank account, or work without permission from a male relative. It is also the only country where a woman is not allowed to drive. The ban on female drivers however, is informal.
Women in Saudi Arabia are also discouraged from using public transport, and have limited access to bus and train services. When it is allowed, women must use a separate entrance and sit in a back section reserved for women.
Is it fair that the Kuwaiti woman is being penalized for only trying to fulfill her duties as a responsible daughter? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
