Can Saudi women say, “We’ve come a long way, Baby?”

Much has changed for Saudi women. But has it really?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, no doubt you’ve heard that Saudi Arabia has issued driving licenses to a handful of women for the first time. Yet even with the freedom to drive, there are still limits on what Saudi women may do. Lifting the nationwide driving ban on June 24 does not allow for wholesale change for our feminine counterparts in that country. Many are still treated like property.

Saudi Arabia’s current laws mandate that women request permission from a male relative for the kinds of decisions you – female readers – and I make without much thought. Is it not obvious these women are robbed of independence, individuality and self-determination?

Look how long it took for some of the simplest rights to be granted to Saudi women. Seventeen years ago women were allowed to get personal ID cards, but only with express permission from their guardians. 2005 saw the end of forced marriages (at least on paper). Five years ago women were allowed to ride bicycles and motor bikes. A mere three years ago, women were given the right to vote and run for office. And earlier this year, Saudi women were finally allowed in sport stadiums and movie theaters.

Most Saudi women see these incremental changes as the evolution to a modernized society and embrace the advancement. They envision themselves as pioneers of progress in a male-dominated society. They foresee telling their children and grandchildren about these historic and heroic events.

Reminiscent of the 1970s Virginia Slims ads touting the progress of repressed women smokers, this change has been a long time coming. However, the spunky, American feminist in me wants to scream, “Noooooooo! You have not come far enough.”

Kara Marziali, Cranston, RI