By Jason Lemon
Deputy News Director
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As Saudi women get set to legally drive later this month, one woman in the kingdom admitted she's been driving without a license for four decades.
Amsa Hathel, who media reports said is "over 60," is believed to be the first Saudi woman in the kingdom's southwestern province of Al-Baha to ever drive. About forty years ago, she learned to drive by running errands with her uncle and watching his movements.
Speaking to Saudi media, Hathel proudly proclaimed that in the decades she's been driving, she has never once had an accident or broken any traffic rules.
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"I always drive on the outskirts of the city near where I live and never in my life have I been criticized by any of the residents," she said, explaining that she originally taught herself to drive. "I always drive carefully and never engage in any behavior that might risk road safety."
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In addition to driving, Hathel knows how to fix her vehicle, which she also learned from her uncle. The woman explained that when she married, one of her conditions to her husband was that he allow her to continue driving.
Hathel said that she is glad that she and other women in Saudi Arabia will finally be legally allowed to drive. Joining many other women across the kingdom, she became the first woman in her province to receive an official driver's license this week.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia officially began granting driver's licenses to women who already held international ones. A video of the first woman to receive her license was widely shared on social media.
Although the decision was announced in September, the kingdom, which was the only country in the world to still prohibit women from driving, has been preparing for months to end the ban. Women will legally be able to use their new driver's licenses starting June 24.
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The driving decision comes as the kingdom works to reform its oppressive policies toward women. Last year, Riyadh granted women the right to attend public events, such as concerts and sporting competitions, alongside men. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has pushed forward an agenda that aims to remove many of the traditional restrictions on women's participation in society.
At the same time, rights groups have criticized the crown prince and Saudi authorities following the recent detention of several prominent women's rights activists. The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights also expressed concern last week over the activists' detention.
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