The ban on driving for women in Saudi Arabia, has been lifted, but what does this really mean? We have seen news agencies doing the rounds and a number of people celebrating this decades-old ban being lifted. Women around the country were seen taking to their vehicles and driving themselves, F1 sports cars included. Saudi became the only country left to have a ban on driving for women, women who had to travel, work, or move anywhere during the ban, had to be driven by a chauffeur. This news came with a backlash for activists who have been campaigning for the right for women to drive, for a while. As not long after this, crackdowns intensified,  and eight activists were detained and could face a trial in a counter-terrorism court, with long prison sentences.

Amongst the detained, is Loujain al-Hathloul, a well-known figure in the campaign for women’s driving rights. Amnesty International has called for wider reforms in Saudi Arabia in the meantime, “where women are still remaining subject to guardianship laws.”

Here is how the world reacted

https://twitter.com/blessedbooker/status/1010918804103356418

https://twitter.com/bintiM/status/1010795333419520003

This is wild. The way female oppression is applied across cultures is really mind blowing. An American woman wants equal pay, a Nigerian woman wants autonomy in her home, Saudi women just want to drive. https://t.co/hK6Eke0N5v

— AUA (@AdakuUfere) June 24, 2018

The ban may have been lifted, but Saudi women will have to pay 6 times more than men for driving lessons. pic.twitter.com/LPJwcUX2Tm

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 24, 2018

https://twitter.com/istabraq22/status/1010850074484715521

Since yesterday, Saudi women have been driving cars legally . They would not get the freedom they deserve by driving cars, not even by flying spaceships. They have to remove their burqas first. Burqas are prisons. Without being out of prisons, you can not say you are free.

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) June 24, 2018

Finally! Congratulations to all Saudi Women. Now please let’s put an end to the Male Guardianship scandal.https://t.co/ZFpxwEGmhK

— Ayaan Hirsi Ali (@Ayaan) June 25, 2018

#المراه_السعوديه_تقود_السياره
Congratulations ladies ❤️🇸🇦
10/10/1439
Great day for all Saudi women pic.twitter.com/GiP64Oubwj

— J (@Jii_I5) June 24, 2018

https://twitter.com/neimansgrl/status/1010928455985319942

Today, Saudi women were finally given the right to drive 💁‍♀️🚘 pic.twitter.com/xAQiZWPOgY

— DW News (@dwnews) June 24, 2018

Women are allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia now — but this activist wants to let the world know there's more to the story pic.twitter.com/DoUBDDPzmq

— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) June 25, 2018

Even as the driving ban will finally be lifted, activists are being arrested and put under travel bans – this is not a plea for a saviour but a call for solidarity

Read the statement: https://t.co/pyQipBbsQO
Come to the demo: https://t.co/uwkylwgMCf pic.twitter.com/xKGBPQm8G9

— Revolutionary Socialism in the 21st Century (@revsoc21) June 20, 2018