Saudi Gazette

THE Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) praised Saudi Arabia’s decision to allow women to drive cars in the Kingdom. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman issued a royal decree in this regard on Tuesday. In a statement, OIC Secretary General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen stressed that this great move comes within the framework of the reform measures to continue the advancement and development of the Kingdom and its citizens, under the leadership of King Salman.

He noted that this step is in line with the items of the OIC Ten-Year Program of Action and the Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women (OPAAW), which call upon the member states to give due attention to the status of women, as well as to ensure the protection of their rights and to encourage their participation in all walks of life.

Meanwhile, the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC-IPHRC), welcomed the decision of the Saudi government to allow women to drive, describing as another positive step toward women empowerment in the country. The decision will not only ease the related social woes faced by the women in their daily lives but would also boost women participation in the domestic labor market, it said in a statement. The landmark decision, which is part of the series of reforms currently under implementation in the Kingdom under its Vision 2030, clearly shows that domestic socio-economic changes and development are in the forefront of the National Transformation Program. IPHRC reiterated its oft-stated view that a comprehensive development must involve all segments of society, in particular, the women, who make up more than half of the total population of any country. The commission, therefore, feels confident that this decision would further strengthen the rights-based character of the Saudi society and economy while preserving its socio-cultural traditions and values.