Saudi Arabia’s move to allow women to drive has had a “huge” social and economic impact on the kingdom and created new possibilities for women to contribute to their families and the wider economy, according to Princess Reem Bint Mansour Al Saud, who is a member of Saudi Arabia’s permanent delegation to the United Nations in New York.
In an interview with Arabian Business, Dr Reem said, “In the past, employers discriminated against hiring women in part because many women struggled with securing reliable and affordable modes of transportation.
“Economically, women struggled with minimum wage pay (SAR 3,000, or $800) that was further reduced by half to cover the cost of getting to work. Now, with the cost-of-living increase, women can make a higher financial contribution to their families.”
Additionally, Dr Reem said that the lifting of the ban “will positively drive entrepreneurship opportunities” and drive economic growth and diversification in the kingdom.
According to statistics from Bloomberg Economics, the lifting of the ban – which came into effect in June last year – could add as much as $90 billion to economic output by 2030.
Saudi women. Dr Reem added, are “very optimistic” about their role in Saudi Vision 2030.
“The vision recognises women as equal to men in contributing not only to the economy but also to social development,” she said.
“We are witnessing the realisation of the vision’s goals in supporting policies for women’s economic and career development in all the recent developments that have been happening.”
Follow us on
