why does saudi arabia bar women from driving what is their justification for this?

Answer 1

The justification for not allowing women to drive is all based in the separation of the sexes. If a woman's car breaks down or she has some other type of trouble, she would be forced to interact with a male.

That's the surface excuse - but to give women any rights - outside of the right to shop - in Saudi would go against the Wahhabist philosophy of total oppression. To allow a woman to drive would give her mobility and put her beyond the immediate control of her husband (or father or brother) and as women are viewed as little more than property, that just ain't gonna fly.

Oh, and that whole safety excuse - lame. Men in this part of the world will go on and on and on and on about how women are queens, they need protection, choose to wear the hijab, etc. etc. etc. As this is a system created and maintained by men for men - all because men cannot control themselves and therefore throw the burden (and the blanket) on women - what would you expect from the oppressors who are just trying to keep their system in tact?

Most Arab men have never once considered what life is really like for women over here. They might tell you they have - but considering such things over sheesha while your out with the boys and your wife is at trapped at home is pretty easy to do.

Trying to implement a system where a woman is publically entitiled to an opinion and allowed to leave the house without a male escort is a completely different animal.

Answer 2

Most Saudi women do not oppose this regulation. Most are very wealthy and have drivers as well as own 75% of the countries cars. I would give up the right to drive if I had someone to drive me around too.

Answer 3

I am not Saudi, but if you live here you will realize what does respect of women means, you will realize what is the meaning of women’s rights, here every women is queen, by the way, in Islam, there is nothing prevents women to drive, but she is not allowed to travel alone, for her safety only, no other reason.

James, in our world, there are too much differences. We should understand others culture and respect it, but the trouble is that respect requires education; it requires being informed about the object of respect, Respect is hard because you have to learn a little about others' values and practices. You have to know enough about those values and practices to understand why they are prized, and so why it is important to respect them.
Just example, in my culture “not religion only” eating pork and drinking alcohol is something digesting. In other cultures it is quite normal.

Answer 4

Most of Saudi women are happy with it. They have their own drivers who will take them to any place they want.

It does not have a direct relation to religion but it is mostly for their safety.

Answer 5

Boy, I really feel bad for those poor Saudi women instead of driving themselves they have someone else do it for them, how horrible it must be to be treated like a queen.

Answer 6

I prefer to have my own driver too and not to be alone on car treks
As a matter of fact
I enjoy being treated like the queen that I am,
but not in in America, of course.
It is beastly to be a woman here.

Answer 7

i think its because of the traditions. But hey if u think about it, every woman has her own car with her own driver, thats poshy isnt it

Answer 8

It is mainly because their head dress only allows them very limited viewing.

Answer 9

May be because they want women will liberate themselves

Answer 10

It is true.
It seems like it is a tradition there and is accepted.