Women in Saudi Arabia allowed to become taxi drivers

Women's participation in the workplace is increasing in the kingdom

Dr Samira Al Ghamdi, a psychologist, drives to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Ammal Farahat at work as a captain with ride-hailing app Careem. AP

Majdooleen was among the first Saudi women to drive when the three-decade ban on female motorists was lifted. She is shown refuelling her car on her way to work in Riyadh. Reuters

Amira, who is Saudi and works for Aramco, refuels her car on her way to the office in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Nada Edlibi holds her Saudi Arabian driving licence on the day, in 2018, when she was legally permitted to drive in the country. Getty

Saudi Arabian comedienne Amy Roko, as featured in fashion book ‘Under the Abaya’. Lina Mo

An actress, presenter and social media influencer, Khairiah Abulaban is passionate about acting and having a positive effect on women in her region. Ghaly Wedinly

Huda Al Badri, 30, poses behind a steering wheel in Riyadh in 2018, when women were permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia for the first time in decades. EPA

An advertising billboard for Japanese carmaker Nissan shows a woman about to get into a vehicle. It was photographed on the day women were legally allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. Getty

This embroidered jacket by Saudi label Hindamme celebrates women being allowed to drive in the kingdom. It is now in the V&A museum in London. Hindamme

A Saudi woman drives a forklift to transport dates at a factory in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, on September 10, 2020. Reuters

Women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to hold taxi licences for the first time, the government announced on Thursday.

The change is the latest in a set of reforms forming Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the kingdom's economy.

Eighteen driving schools will offer driving licence courses and examinations for women at a cost of 20 Saudi riyals ($53) in Riyadh, Jeddah, Jazan, Asir, Najran, Jouf, Hail and Taif.

Women reacted with joy to the announcement. Translator Aseel Atif told Arab News she hoped it would increase employment opportunities for women.

“I think this news will help many women find a career,” she said, “I love driving, so I wouldn’t mind being a taxi driver.”

Women in 2017 were given the right to drive in Saudi Arabia by a decree and women began driving on the roads in June 2018. More than 174,000 driving licences have since been issued, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Vision 2030 has led to a range of reforms aimed at increasing the role of women in public life, including allowing women to serve in front-line roles in the armed forces and the creation of the Saudi women's football league.

Women's participation in the workforce rose from 19 per cent in 2016 to 33 per cent at the end of 2020, the General Authority for Statistics said.