Saudi Arabian Woman Stuck with Large Driving School Bill
Photo: Mojack Jutally
If you read articles about gender equality or feminism, you know that one of the differences between men and women is how much we pay for gendered products. For example, our disposable razors are similar, but women’s are usually notably more expensive. That seems to have carried over to Saudi Arabia, where women trying to learn how to drive so that they can earn their licenses in June are receiving big bills for lessons.
According to the Khaleej Times, the head of Saudi Society for Traffic Safety Dr. Abdulhameed Al-Mejel stated that women’s driving lessons will cost between 2,000 and 3,000 Saudi Arabian Riyals, or about $533-$800. That might not sound too bad, but that’s before you consider that men pay about 450 riyals, or $120. About 600 women are currently enrolled in driver’s education to get ready for their driver’s tests in June.
Making driving lessons for women about six times more expensive isn’t just unfair, but it could be a sign of the hurdles ahead for women who actually want to earn their driver’s licenses. Saudi Arabia can tell the world that it’s finally legal for its women to drive and they’re so progressive now, but at home they can make the requirements too difficult or expensive for many women to actually earn their right.
We hope that prices for driver’s training fall in Saudi Arabia as more women sign up to prepare for their tests. We’ll be monitoring the situation to see if there are any other barriers put up in front of Saudi Arabia’s ladies on their way to the driver’s seat.
News Source: Khaleej Times
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