Butch Femme Planet - View Single Post - Violence Against Women

Kobi · 02-07-2012, 04:51 AM

Women in Saudi Arabia refuse to hit the brakes in their fight to overturn the kingdom's female driving ban.

One woman is even suing the government for not allowing her a driver's license, she told CNN on Sunday.

Manal al-Sharif, who is leading a campaign pushing for women's driving rights, said she filed her suit in November after officials rejected her license application and ignored her ensuing complaints.

"It's just creating positive pressure on the officials to get back to us," she told CNN. "And it will encourage more women to apply for licenses and file lawsuits."

While there is no law in Saudi Arabia prohibiting women from driving, religious edicts are often interpreted to mean that females should not be behind the wheel, and officials comply with the religious authorities. Under the same decrees, Saudi women are also banned from opening bank accounts, obtaining passports or attending school without a male chaperone, CNN reported.

Al-Sharif's fight began after she was arrested for posting a video of herself driving on YouTube. She was detained for nearly two weeks, according to The Associated Press.

There is a long history of women being punished for driving in Saudi Arabia, although it wasn't formerly banned by the Minister of Interior until 1990. Just last year, a Saudi court found Shaima Jastaina guilty of violating the ban, and sentenced her to ten lashes. She was pardoned from the beating, but her case ignited protests and launched campaigns like the one al-Sharif leads, Women2Drive.

Last June, the organization posted a banner on its Facebook page that said, "We are all Manal Sharif," according to CNN. The post also included a quote from King Abdullah: "The day will come when women will be able to drive."

Al-Sharif, a single mother and information technology specialist, told CNN after her detention that she was determined to speak up about what she thinks is gravely unjust.

"We have a saying," she said. "The rain starts with a single drop. This is a symbolic thing."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl...#ixzz1lgy6tkoW

02-07-2012, 04:51 AM	#31
Kobi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Biological female. Lesbian. Relationship Status: Happy Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hanging out in the Atlantic. Posts: 9,234 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,840 Thanked 34,622 Times in 7,640 Posts Rep Power: 21474861	Saudi women fight for the right to drive as religious leaders continue to enforce female driving ban Women in Saudi Arabia refuse to hit the brakes in their fight to overturn the kingdom's female driving ban. One woman is even suing the government for not allowing her a driver's license, she told CNN on Sunday. Manal al-Sharif, who is leading a campaign pushing for women's driving rights, said she filed her suit in November after officials rejected her license application and ignored her ensuing complaints. "It's just creating positive pressure on the officials to get back to us," she told CNN. "And it will encourage more women to apply for licenses and file lawsuits." While there is no law in Saudi Arabia prohibiting women from driving, religious edicts are often interpreted to mean that females should not be behind the wheel, and officials comply with the religious authorities. Under the same decrees, Saudi women are also banned from opening bank accounts, obtaining passports or attending school without a male chaperone, CNN reported. Al-Sharif's fight began after she was arrested for posting a video of herself driving on YouTube. She was detained for nearly two weeks, according to The Associated Press. There is a long history of women being punished for driving in Saudi Arabia, although it wasn't formerly banned by the Minister of Interior until 1990. Just last year, a Saudi court found Shaima Jastaina guilty of violating the ban, and sentenced her to ten lashes. She was pardoned from the beating, but her case ignited protests and launched campaigns like the one al-Sharif leads, Women2Drive. Last June, the organization posted a banner on its Facebook page that said, "We are all Manal Sharif," according to CNN. The post also included a quote from King Abdullah: "The day will come when women will be able to drive." Al-Sharif, a single mother and information technology specialist, told CNN after her detention that she was determined to speak up about what she thinks is gravely unjust. "We have a saying," she said. "The rain starts with a single drop. This is a symbolic thing." Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl...#ixzz1lgy6tkoW __________________