Saudi physician and epidemiologist, Dr Mariam Fardous, will attempt to dive in the South Pole next year, attempting to become the first woman to dive in both poles.
Fardous made history in 2016 when she became the first Saudi woman, and third-ever female, to dive in the North Pole.
She is currently training for her dive, which will take place next March in the Antarctic Ocean, in countries including Russia, where she is learning specialised techniques.
Fardous said her father had inspired her to dive through stories he read to her when she was a child. She started diving 10 years ago when she acquired her master scuba diver certification in Jeddah.
In 2016, her 40-day expedition to the North Pole saw her drive in temperatures of -6 degrees Celsius.
She told local media she wanted to become one of the few (less than 1% of the world population) who were able to explore the Antarctic Ocean.
Fardous is also an active humanitarian and ambassador to non-profit organisation African Impacts, which sets ups volunteer trips and internships in Africa.
overturned the world’s only ban on female motorists in June as part of a much-hyped liberalisation drive led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s most conservative countries for women, but a liberalisation drive led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has seen the kingdom loosen restrictions on females, such as the lifting of the world’s only ban on women motorists in June.
The country has seen several females break world records. In 2013, Raha Moharrak became the first Saudi woman and youngest Arab and to climb Mount Everest, at age 25, while in March this year, 28 year old Rasha al-Khamis became the kingdom’s first certified female boxer.
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