Saudi Women Driving Ban Lifted: Women allowed to drive for first time in decades

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Europe

02:27

30 women in Saudi Arabia have become the first to be allowed to drive as the ruling family lifted its decades-old ban on female drivers. Until now, this was the only country in the world where women could not drive and families had to hire private chauffeurs for female relatives. It's a hard-won freedom, but there's still a long way to go. Quan Chenchen has more.

A historic moment, long overdue. For over half a century, women in Saudi Arabia have been banned from driving and getting a driver's license. Now a few of them are in the driver's seat.

MAJDOOLEEN AL-ATEEQ "It feels weird, I'm so happy. There's no words can explain what I'm feeling right now. I'm just too proud to be doing this right now."

The first women to be allowed to drive say it's much better than sitting in the backseat.

TAHANI AL DOSEMANI "I am depending on myself. All the family shopping needs, and going to the school and everything now I can do just by myself."

MAJDOOLEEN AL-ATEEQ "So all I can think about, I can still do my own stuff, I don't have to ask for anyone to take me around. That's very important you know."

In a country that is dominated by men, this was unimaginable for older generations.

FAWZIA AL-BAKR MAJDOOLEEN'S AUNT "It's so natural for her to drive and to get the insurance and everything when it was extremely difficult for us in 1990. So I'm thrilled, I am so happy that our society and our leaders reached this point where we're driving. It just makes you feel so natural, just like any other woman around the world."

There are still limits on what Saudi women can do, but people say society is beginning to change.

"I feel proud, I am really proud that the country has moved to another stage".

But despite this apparent victory for women activists, many of those same activists are now in prison. The fight for women's rights is far from over.