Saudi females are no longer be able to drive when traveling abroad in Switzerland, according to the Jeddah-based Arab News . Whereas Saudi females formerly could apply for international driving licenses that were recognized by Swiss rental companies, a new Swiss law will no longer recognize these licenses alone.
A driver's license issued by a tourist's home country will now be required in order to drive and rent a car within Switzerland. As women are prevented from obtaining driver's licenses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they will now be ineligible from driving – even if they obtain an international license – while visiting the European nation.
Swiss officials are reported as saying that international drivers licenses issued by tourist agencies are not adequate. They reportedly stated that it was a crime for an individual without a license in their home nation to obtain an international one through an agency.
Interestingly, Saudi Arabia is ranked as the leading nation from the Gulf Cooperation Council for tourists flocking to Switzerland. Visitors from the United Arab Emirates come in second place, according to the data released by Switzerland Tourism covering the period of January to November of 2014.
The KSA is the only country in the world where women are forbidden to obtain a license and drive. Several female activists within the Kingdom have notably staged protests encouraging women to get behind the wheel and drive.
However, two leading activists that promoted the protest have been held in prison for over two months and their case has been referred to a court that deals specifically with terrorism charges. The imprisonment of these two women and KSA's ban on female driving has been strongly criticized by rights groups, governments and the media.
Even the queen of England, Elizabeth II, joined the ranks of females protesting against the KSA's repressive policy towards women. In 1998, when former prince – later king – Abdullah visited the United Kingdom, the queen is reported to have personally driven the future Saudi king on a tour of her royal estate.
While adult women are forbidden from driving in the KSA, young male children are often seen driving throughout the kingdom, frequently chauffeuring their mothers and sisters to destinations. Arab News also recently reported that a 10-year-old boy was driving when he hit and killed a man crossing the street.