Politics/community: Last year, Saudi Arabia took an historic step towards recognition of women's rights by bowing to international pressure and allowing to female athletes to compete in the Olympics. At home, women's rights activists are up in arms, fighting restrictions outlawing women from driving.
According to conservative Saudi Arabian cleric and judicial advisor, Saleh ben Saad al-Lohaidan, banning women from behind the wheel is entirely beneficial for the health of future generations. He claims that women drivers risk damaging their ovaries and giving birth to children with clinical problems if they drive due to the position that the pelvis is placed in while operating a motor vehicle. He urged activists trying to overturn the ban that they should put "reason ahead of their hearts, emotions and passions."
"If a woman drives a car, not out of pure necessity, that could have negative physiological impacts as functional and physiological medical studies show that it automatically affects the ovaries and pushes the pelvis upwards," he told the Sabq newspaper.
"That is why we find those who regularly drive have children with clinical problems of varying degrees," he said. Al-Lohaidan's claims are unsubstantiated and he has failed to cite specific medical research which support comments.
Religious authorities support the ban, saying that driving is an unnecessary risk and can cause birth defects due to the pressure on the ovaries.
