Aseel-Al-Hamad, female race car driver and the first female member of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, took the Jaguar F-Type for a celebratory lap in Riyadh on the first day that she, and every other woman in the country, was allowed to drive freely. To further proceed the day, Aseel had partnered with Jaguar to begin World Driving Day – a day when everyone can come together and celebrate their love for driving, especially since, for the first time, everyone around the world is allowed behind the wheel.
In creating World Driving Day, Jaguar is spreading awareness of the history of the ban, and endorsing the remembrance of the Saudi activists and advocates who have been imprisoned while championing equality. They are also encouraging people to consider how lifting this ban is an important headway in the overall picture of global progress.
The infamous ban on Saudi women driving has been a constraint against women’s independence, as well as a statement against their equality for decades past. It was overturned in a royal decree last September, but the red lights truly turned green this past Saturday, as women who were thrilled to the point that they sat in their cars and began driving at the very stroke of midnight. Saudi women have described the new experience as “liberal”, and making them feel “free as a bird”.While even the concept of females driving caused massive shock and scandalized many in the past, now, the government is releasing images of women, all around the country, sitting behind the wheel as a symbolic indication of them bettering themselves as a country. This comes only 3 years after Saudi women were given the right to voting and candidacy in municipal elections.
As part of the campaign for World Driving Day, Jaguar encourages people to share a snippet of their favourite memory while driving, using the hashtag #WorldDrivingDay on social media.
For more info on Jaguar: https://media.jaguar.com/en