Name: A Saudi woman who dared to drive
Uploaded: 2013-06-14T10:22:21Z
Duration: 14 min 2 s
Description: There's no actual law against women driving in Saudi Arabia. But it's forbidden. Two years ago, Manal al-Sharif decided to encourage women to drive by doing so -- and filming herself for YouTube. Hear her story of what happened next.

There's no actual law against women driving in Saudi Arabia. But it's forbidden. Two years ago, Manal al-Sharif decided to encourage women to drive by doing so -- and filming herself for YouTube. Hear her story of what happened next.

A Saudi woman who dared to drive

Social progress often collides with deeply held customs, not just laws. In Saudi Arabia, driving while female meant arrest, public shaming, and even family suffering—yet no law actually forbade it. One woman's viral video ignited a movement, exposing how fear and tradition uphold inequality. True freedom requires both facing government power and challenging the myths society tells itself.

Defying Custom: How Challenging Societies Sparks Change

"Saudi Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive"

Islam

Middle East

culture

feminism

global issues

women

transportation

TED Stage Talk

Manal al-Sharif: A Saudi woman who dared to drive