What you can do

Did you know that women in Saudi Arabia cannot drive?

Simple, you may think - or - oh, how lucky they are, when you've just been stuck in traffic for an hour on your way to work.

However, did you ever think about the times when someone was ill and you took them to the hospital? Now what if a man wasn't around to drive you - would that person have died?

Think about all the school drop-off and pick-ups you do, would your partner/husband/brother/neighbour be prepared to take on that load, EVERY single day of your life?

Think about your monthly budget - would you be able to afford to hire someone (that would take about a third of your salary) to drive you to work and home again?

Think about being in a car, alone with a stranger that you do not know - would he shift his rearview mirror to look at you? Would he make inappropriate comments knowing that you cannot retaliate - because if you do, you will be left standing at the side of the road, at the mercy of strangers?

Think about not being able to use your own car that you paid for with money you've earned.

Think about that, sister - and feel for those who can not.

Mobility is a basic human right. Whether you cannot afford an automobile, you should have the ability to attain a means of transport in order to realise your needs - food, medical attention, work, education - all of these and more. You should be endowed with the dignity of choice. That is what I believe in.