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Quote by Manal al-Sharif

“It is an amazing contradiction: a society that frowns on a woman going out without a man; that forces you to use separate entrances for universities, banks, restaurants, and mosques; that divides restaurants with partitions so that unrelated males and females cannot sit together; that same society expects you to get into a car with a man who is not your relative, with a man who is a complete stranger, by yourself and have him take you somewhere inside a locked car, alone.”

Quote by Manal al-Sharif

Work

Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman's Awakening

This book is a personal account of a Saudi woman's life and her struggle for freedom and autonomy, focusing on the symbolic act of driving. It details her experiences growing up in a conservative environment, the challenges she faced, and her eventual decision to defy the ban on female drivers. The narrative explores themes of courage, resilience, and the broader fight for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, offering insight into the cultural and legal barriers that women encounter. more

Author

Manal al-Sharif
Manal al-Sharif

Manal al-Sharif is a prominent Saudi Arabian activist known for her advocacy for women's rights, particularly the right to drive. Born on April 25, 1979, she became internationally recognized after being arrested for driving in 2011, an act that was illegal for women in Saudi Arabia at the time. Al-Sharif's activism has been pivotal in the ongoing campaign to end the ban on women driving in the country. more

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