INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Riyadh: A car show in the Saudi capital is drawing in many women, who from next month will be allowed to drive
in the kingdom as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's modernisation plans.The event also attracted banks ready to offer financing for
women buyers."Anything related to cars these days is attracting Saudi Arabian women
I want to know more about cars and prices," said Shaimaa al-Fadl as she climbed into a car at the exhibition and adjusted the rear-view
mirror.The royal decree will end a conservative tradition seen by activists as an emblem of the Muslim kingdom's repression of women.The
decision could change the lifestyles of millions of women
About 10 million women over the age of 20 live in Saudi Arabia, a number that includes foreigners, though it may take years for women
drivers to be a major presence on roads."I need a car every day for work," government employee Maha Adel Rahman said
"Add to that the trips I need to make for my family
Moreover, transportation costs here are high
The decision to drive will save me a lot of money."While the decree could save families money and encourage women to seek jobs, it could
also be bad for one class of employee - the chauffeurs who traditionally ferry women around town.© Thomson Reuters 2018(Except for the
headline, this story has not been edited by TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)For the latest Election
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