DHAKA: Saudi women activists have called for a new day of defiance next month of the long-standing ban on women driving in the ultra-conservative kingdom.

An online petition entitled ‘Oct 26th, driving for women’ had on Sunday gathered more than 5,800 signatories, as activists try again to push authorities to end the unique ban.

‘I will drive on October 26,’ activist Nasima al-Sada told media on Sunday, saying that some 20 women are going to take part in the campaign in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, reports The Straits Times.

‘Many women are enthusiastic about learning to drive, or to teach other’ women how to drive, she said, as many Saudi women have obtained abroad the driving licences they are denied in their homeland.

BDST: 1802 HRS, SEPT 22, 2013
RoR/RK