Manal al-Sharif
Manal al-Sharif
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Manal al-Sharif's full name is Manal Ahmed Abdullah al-Sharif. She is commonly known as the "Saudi Driving Girl" for her role in advocating women's right to drive in Saudi Arabia.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on October 23, 1979, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, al-Sharif is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Al-Sharif holds Saudi Arabian nationality. She has worked as a computer security consultant and was a member of the Saudi Ministry of Defense's IT department.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Mecca, al-Sharif was raised by her parents, who were educated and encouraged her to pursue higher education. Al-Sharif earned a degree in Computer Science from King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. She began working for the Saudi Ministry of Defense's IT department in 2003.
Major Accomplishments
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In 2011, al-Sharif played a pivotal role in the Women to Drive movement, which aimed to repeal the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia. On June 17, 2011, she posted a video on YouTube explaining her decision to drive as a protest against the law. This act sparked widespread attention and support from both inside and outside the country.
Notable Works or Actions
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Al-Sharif's advocacy work extended beyond driving rights. She also spoke out against other restrictive laws in Saudi Arabia, such as those governing women's dress code and mobility. Her activism led to her arrest on June 21, 2011, but she was released after international pressure. In August 2011, al-Sharif fled to the United States with her family.
Impact and Legacy
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Al-Sharif's courageous actions drew attention to Saudi Arabia's human rights issues and encouraged other women to speak out against oppressive laws. Her advocacy work helped raise awareness about the right to drive as a symbol of freedom and equality for women in Saudi Arabia.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Al-Sharif is widely quoted or remembered for her role in challenging traditional norms and promoting human rights, particularly for women. Her courage and determination have inspired others around the world to stand up against unjust laws and fight for their rights. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of individual action in bringing about change.
As a pioneering figure in Saudi Arabia's women's rights movement, al-Sharif continues to be an influential voice advocating for equality and justice.
Quotes by Manal al-Sharif
Manal al-Sharif's insights on:
I love my sons, I love my husband, and I love my country. But in kingdoms of men, there are few - if any - choices for women. Or the choices are such that there is no greater pain than having to choose.
I went to a technology conference in Germany, and there were these beautiful, model-like women standing there in front of the products. I asked a question, and she had no clue what the product was. She had to call someone from the back to explain it to me. To me, that's using a woman as an object. To me, that's totally wrong.
In Saudi Arabia, they always tell us we are queens. We are pistachios. You know the nut? Like something that is protected. So even if you have a very good education, restraints are put on women.
The Saudi ideal of a woman is a religious mother who rarely ventures out: She shouldn't work with men, she should be completely covered, and she shouldn't go out alone to run errands.
My father's generation of Saudi men are more liberal than the men of my generation. But with women, it's the opposite.
I realised it is impossible to live with the rules they give Saudi women. Just impossible. You trying to do everything by the book, but you can never stay pure.
That is life for a Saudi woman: wherever we go, whatever we achieve, we are the property of a man.
I measure the impact I make by how harsh the attacks are. The harsher the attacks, the better I am doing.
For me, driving - or the right to drive - is not only about moving from A to B; it's a way to emancipate women. It gives them so much liberty. It makes them independent.