"Stop The Debate: Time For Women To Drive!”

Prince Alwaleed has asked his country to lift the ban on women driving cars. The prince is a member of the Saudi royal family and one of the world's wealthiest people. He has long been a strong supporter of women's rights.

Prince Alwaleed explained that the ban needs to be ended for two reasons. First, the ban is extremely expensive for Saudi Arabia and has a large negative impact on the economy. Since women cannot drive, they must often hire drivers or use taxis to take them to work every morning, to clinics, or to other places. The average family spends $1000 a month on a driver.

Secondly, women are deprived of many rights by being unable to drive.  Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. As a result, Saudi society is far more restrictive for women than Islamic law requires.

Women's rights activists have been fighting the ban for more than 20 years. Many women have been arrested for driving in protest. Sahar Hassan Nasief, a Saudi women's rights activist, said Prince Alwaleed's strong public appeal could help bring about change. Hopefully, with the support of such influential men, Saudi Arabia will soon allow women to drive as a basic right.