Saudi Woman Arrested for Defying Driving Ban

VOA Breaking News
Voice of America
May 22, 2011 at 2:50 pm UTC

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have arrested a female activist after she launched a campaign against the ban on women driving in the conservative Middle East kingdom.

Manal al-Sarif was taken into custody after posting a YouTube video of herself behind the wheel of a car.

Not only does Saudi Arabia forbid women from driving, it also insists that women must have written permission from a male — a father, husband, brother or son — to travel anywhere.

The campaigners against the driving ban have called for a mass protest on June 17 when thousands of Saudi women are expected to go for a drive.