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Saudi Arabia mulls axing female driving ban

Saudi Arabia is to examine overturning its ban on women drivers, according to reports.
/ Source: msnbc.com

Saudi Arabia is to examine overturning its ban on women drivers, according to reports.

A petition signed by 128 people has been lodged with the country's consultative council, the Al Yawm daily reported.

Sheik Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Shaikh, the council chairman, is set to discuss the proposal, according to the Gulf News.

"As there are many Saudi women who drive in other countries, they should be allowed to do the same in their own country," the newspaper quoted the petition as reading. "We do not think that you or any other citizen would accept to see a Saudi woman on the side of the road begging a taxi driver to take her to hospital for instance."

The petitioners suggest "prison terms" and "high fines" be instituted for any males who harass or annoy women as they drive.

They add that female-only driving schools should be opened.