In the runup to officially being allowed to drive on Saudi roads, Saudi women flocked to a women only car show at Le Mall in Jeddah. This was the first such car exhibition that was meant for women, in the wake of the monarchy’s decision to allow women to drive.
The showroom in the mal was festooned with pink, orange and yellow balloons as many women posed for selfies and photos with a wide range of vehicles. Many women got a chance to check out the interiors and accessories in vehicles they might buy after they get their licenses.
In September 2017, King Salman had issued a decree that will put an end to the ban on women driving by the end of June this year. As an outcome of this decision, women in the kingdom will now have more mobility.
The exhibition at Le Mall showcased fuel-efficient cars and was manned by a team of saleswomen to help women decide which model was most suitable for their needs. The showroom carried signs emblazoned with the slogan “Drive and Shop,” a play on the meaning of the use of the words in the feminine form in Arabic.
“It is known that women are the largest section who shop in malls,” said Sharifa Mohammad, who headed the team of saleswomen at the exhibition. “This whole mall is run by women anyway. All the cashiers are women. Everyone in the restaurants are women.”
