Vogue Arabia celebrates women's right to drive

"We have been fighting for years, and everytime we were told it wasn't the right time". "This is a big victory for us"- Latifa Shaalan, professor, author, member of the Saudi Shura Council and woman. 

From the 24th of June, the women's world in Saudi Arabia will change forever: they will finally have the right to drive. A real triumph, supported by the 32-year-old prince Mohammed bin Salman, a win made of freedom and emancipation, that reflects a changing world, this time for the better. 

The first person to rejoice in hearing this news was the princess Hayfa bint Abdullah Al Saud: in collaboration with Vogue Arabia, a real national institution, she managed to represent this change, with strength, courage and above all respect. Pictured behind the wheel of a red car, wearing the traditional ivory hijab, the princess celebrates the love for her native land and shows respect for tradition and religion, that is a large part of the country. But at the same time, she communicates a need for change, equality, love and rebellion against those who believe "women aren't as smart as men". 

"It's easy to judge other societies and people, thinking yours is superior, but the western world has to remember that every country is different and unique", she added. "We have strenghts and weaknesses, but, inviariably, it's our culture, and it's better to try understand it, rather than judging". 

This is just the first step of a long process of change with women becoming greater protagonists in their country's working life, and above all considering the decrease of oil's prices, damaging the economy of a country which really wants to make the difference and become independent. This economic inconvenience has actually facilitated the inclusion of women in various branches, but the road is still long, and change can't stop. Arabic women aren't allowed to open a bank account, make or get medical operations independently, obtain children custody in a divorce, but they can look forward and think big. 

Here you can watch a video created by Nissan: to celebrate the brand new women's right to drive, they created a couple of lessons for beginner girls... 

#SheDrives