At last: Saudi women permitted to drive cars

Saudi Arabia is finally permitting women to drive, from next June. The landmark decision is the result of a surprise decree, issued by the royal rulers of the fiercely conservative kingdom.

Archivfoto von 2014: Aziza Yousef am Steuer eines SUV's in der Hauptstad Saudi-Arabiens, Riad. Source: AP

"You may be interested to know that a few minutes ago, a royal decree has been issued in Saudi Arabia giving women the right to drive. This is a historic day for Saudi society, for men and women, and we can now say - at last."

Saudi Arabia's permanent representative at the United Nations in New York, Tuesday 26 September.

But while the move has been welcomed, women in the kingdom still face other restrictions. They are bound by law to wear long robes and a headscarf and require the consent of a male guardian for most legal actions.

Keine Männerdomäne: Muslimische Frauen und Männer beim jährlichen Haddsch in der heiligen Stadt Mekka in Saudi-Arabien. Source: AAP