'It's OK for Saudi women not to drive'

Dubai: The issue of Saudi women and driving triggered a heated debate at the New Arab Women's Forum yesterday.

Nawal Al Shalhoub, wife of the Saudi Consul General in Dubai, said during a panel discussion about women and public affairs that she did not think it necessary for Saudi women to drive as they have full rights.

"Women don't have to drive in Saudi Arabia because they are used to having drivers or can always be driven by family members," she said.

Nawal, who has lived in Dubai for 10 years and drives her own car, says it is OK for her not to drive in Saudi Arabia.

Nadine Al Bedair, a Saudi presenter and producer of Al Hurra TV, who was in the audience at the Emirates Towers, responded: "She doesn't have the right to speak on behalf of all Saudi women who don't have any social or political rights. It's humiliating to say that."

Nawal later told Gulf News that Saudi women receive a lot of support from the government.

"They stand by us, help us to develop and encourage our efforts," she said.

She said able and intelligent women could reach the top of their profession, pointing to women in positions as doctors, nurses and pilots. Nawal does not see any social pressure on women.

"They have all their rights and choices in life," she said, adding the media made up a lot of harassing stories which were not true.

Nadine, a young presenter of a talk show called Mosawah, which means equality in Arabic, said she wondered why Nawal was speaking on behalf of Saudi women if, as she claimed, they have full rights.

"I wonder why she is taking part in the forum," Nadine said.

"I don't have one single political right, I can't be promoted to any high position in the public or private sectors, I can't study, work and marry without written approval from my guardian."

Women are treated as incomplete people, she said.

Nadine thinks Nawal has insulted Saudi women when she said they have full rights.

"Poor women are begging to live because they are banned from working and have no support. I don't know why the truth is being twisted," she said.