Princess Ameerah Advocates for Lifting Ban on Female Drivers in Saudi Arabia

The ban on female driving in Saudi Arabia has caught the attention of the international media. Even though the country is reportedly in talks to lift the ban on female drivers, it doesn't seem like any action will be taken soon.

Authorities had strongly warned against any step that would violate the kingdom's controversial ban. Earlier this year, a woman had received 150 lashes after she was caught driving, Daily Mail reports.

But Princess Ameerah, the former wife of a multi-billionaire Saudi Arabian royal, is trying her best to highlight such issues and advocate for the lifting of the ban.

"I don't believe the ban will go on indefinitely. It will be like the decree calling for 20% of Parliament to be made up of women -- a surprising development, but one which happened very rapidly. It is my job and duty to use my power and influence to highlight these kinds of issues and to try to find solutions. I am offered platforms to speak around the world, and I must use them to try to change things," the Princess said.

Ameerah further said that she wants women in her country to be allowed the same rights as other women around the world.

When she was married in the royal family, she used to travel from the palace to the penthouse in chauffeur-driven limousines. She was also seen using one as a guest of honour at the Westminster Abbey marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011. She regularly socialised with Prince Charles.

However, now that she is divorced, the 31-year-old Princess is equally satisfied in driving her own £15,000 Mini Cooper. She said that she has an international license to drive. In fact, when she is in Europe or the United States, she drives. But, she doesn't drive in the United Kingdom "because driving on the left is quite confusing," Marie Claire reports.

Women have been barred from driving in the country since the establishment of the state in 1932.

But, Ameerah believes that people of Saudi Arabia have also advanced and hopes that "it is the generation of young people in Saudi Arabia which is going to accelerate change in the country."

Saudi Arabia will impose certain conditions in case the ban is lifted. Women above the age of 30 will be allowed to drive only after they are given permission by their male guardian. They would be allotted time frames – 7 am to 8 pm from Saturday to Wednesday and 12 pm and 8 pm on Thursday and Friday -- during which they can drive.
They are forbidden from driving while wearing makeup and in case they are going out of the city, they will need a male to be present in the car with them.