A UAE newspaper has commented editorially on Saudi women legally taking the wheel, calling the decision "a bright new future for the country.
ABU DHABI, (Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2018) A UAE newspaper has commented editorially on Saudi women legally taking the wheel, calling the decision "a bright new future for the country."
In an editorial on Monday, The Gulf Today said the landmark decision of the Saudi leadership will not only reduce reliance on foreign workers, but also accelerate job growth in the Kingdom.
"The move, ordered last September by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, as part of sweeping reforms pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, is bound to steer the nation on the path to peace, progress and prosperity," it said, adding that Saudi families can now save huge amounts of money as many families presently employ at least one driver to transport female members.
It continued, "Retailers, insurers and car hire companies will be among the potential winners, as the decision will boost industries from car sales to insurance.
"The decision will also encourage more women to enter the workforce and raise productivity in the economy. According to a Bloomberg estimate, this will help add US$90 billion to economic output by 2030.
"The impact could be gauged by the fact that some three million women in Saudi Arabia could receive licences and actively begin driving by 2020, as per consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
"A handful of female driving schools have already cropped up in several cities, training women to drive cars as well as Harley Davidson motorbikes, scenes unimaginable even a year ago."
The paper went on to say that Saudi authorities deserve praise for "pre-emptively addressing concerns of abuse by outlawing sexual harassment, with a prison term of up to five years and a maximum penalty of 300,000 Riyals ($80,000), and sternly warning people against stalking women drivers."
"Incidentally, women were recently allowed for the first time into a sports stadium to mark national day, another momentous move that came as part of Mohammed Bin Salman’s Saudi Vision 2030. The vision aims at a strong, thriving and stable Saudi Arabia that provides opportunity for all," it added.
The editorial further stated that "June 24th has turned out to be a historic day for Saudi Arabia and the end of the driving ban is undoubtedly a crowning achievement of the country’s leadership and Saudi Vision 2030. The jubilation on the social media is not surprising considering that the decision is momentous."
"Official statistics show that women make up the overwhelming majority of job seekers in Saudi Arabia. Women play an important part in Vision 2030. They now have a major reason to smile as the decision has helped them change the course of their lives," it added.
"Way to go, Saudi Arabia," concluded the Sharjah-based daily.
