Saudi Women Activists Launch "Black Ribbons Campaign"

Saudi Arabian women's rights activists, led by Wajeha al Huwaider, are launching a "Black Ribbon Campaign" to demand women's rights today. It is the 19th anniversary of the day forty-seven Saudi women drove their cars in public to protest a policy that bans women from driving, Memri Blog reports.

According to the Middle East Transparent, the campaign has three goals: that Saudi women be allowed to represent themselves in official and government agencies without a male guardian; that Saudi women be treated as citizens equal to Saudi men; and that Saudi women be allowed to enjoy rights and privileges that are currently restricted including the rights to travel, work, study, inherit, gain custody of children, marry, divorce, drive cars.

The motto of the campaign is, "we will not untie our ribbon until Saudi women enjoy their rights as adult citizens." Saudi women's activists ask that supporters wear black ribbons or black bracelets to show their solidarity with Saudi women.

Media Resources: The Memri Blog 11/5/09; The Middle East Transparent 11/4/09

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