Internet users were quick to react to a decree by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to abolish a long-standing ban on women driving cars; the document is due to enter force in June 2018.
Many Twitter users heaped praise on the decision, with one of them describing it as a "breakthrough."
This is a breakthrough for Saudi Arabia!
— Thomas P Kennedy III (@ThomasPKennedy3) 26 сентября 2017 г.
Women driving and it's only 2017!
👏👏👏👏👏👏
What's could be next!https://t.co/74YoYXvN6D
Others referred to the Saudi King's decree as "sensational" and "historic."
Sensational! Welcome to the 21st century!!! #Saudi women 'given right to drive' #women2drive https://t.co/l3S9cwqlkc
— Silke Mertins (@simer122) 26 сентября 2017 г.
This Twitter user remained rather sarcastic about the matter.
Hey Saudi Arabia, I'm glad women can drive now but can you also stop killing LGBT? #SaudiWomenDrive
— Thatch (@Thatchyadaddy) 27 сентября 2017 г.
Another Twitter user referred to car insurance significantly increasing in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the decree.
10 minutes after it was announced that women will be allowed to drive, car insurance quadrupled in Saudi Arabia
— Sean Spicier (@sean_spicier) 26 сентября 2017 г.
This user expressed regret over the decree being adopted this year.
Women in Saudi Arabia can drive now? FINALLY! About time! "Women can finally drive" shouldn't be a statement being made in 2017! Maybe 1871! pic.twitter.com/0LMCVRqYsc
— 𝕊kyler 𝔾rey💕💤 (@LGBTLover_1923) 27 сентября 2017 г.
This Twitter user joked about burqas in his reaction to the decree.
The good news for Saudi Arabia is because of the burqa they won't have women trying to drive and apply makeup during rush hour
— Sean Spicier (@sean_spicier) 26 сентября 2017 г.
But on the whole, people applauded the decision by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The best turning point in Saudi history. So proud 💚#Women2Drive
— نوف الحارثي | Nouf (@NoufHarthi) 26 сентября 2017 г.
They were echoed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who hailed the Saudi King's decree and touted it as an important move.
I welcome Saudi Arabia's decision to lift the ban on women drivers. An important step in the right direction.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) 27 сентября 2017 г.
US President Donald Trump, for his part, called it "a positive step toward promoting the rights and opportunities of women in Saudi Arabia," according to the White House press secretary.
The new Saudi ambassador to Washington, Prince Khaled bin Salman, welcomed the decision as a "huge step forward" for the Kingdom, the Washington Post reported.
The King decreed that a commission of representatives of the country's Ministries of Internal Affairs, Finance, Labor and Social Development be convened to study the necessary measures to provide women with the right to drive cars.
Wow! Saudi Arabia allows women to drive, days after a landmark decision to allow them participate in a public celebration on national day!
— Hassan Hassan (@hxhassan) 26 сентября 2017 г.
Saudi Arabia remains the only country in the world which prohibits women from driving.
Congratulations to all women in Saudi Arabia! The ban on driving will be lifted next year & all women will have the right to drive #Progress pic.twitter.com/Zsc7gbMR8n
— Kris Jenner (@KrisJenner) 27 сентября 2017 г.
Saudi women have repeatedly participated in campaigns on social networks to obtain the right to drive cars.
Right now, only men can get a driver's license in Saudi Arabia and if a woman is seen behind the wheel in a public place, police officers may arrest her or issue a hefty fine.
