Saudi society will decide if women can drive: Prince Salman

Riyadh: Saudi society, not the government, will determine whether women will be allowed to drive cars, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Monday.

He was speaking to reporters after the unveiling of a vast plan, known as Saudi Vision 2030, to transform the oil-dependent economy. Mohammed was asked whether one of the plan's goals, to increase women's participation in the workforce from 22% to 30%, could lead to their right to drive.

"So far the society is not persuaded -- and it has negative influence -- but we stress that it is up to the Saudi society," he said, adding that change cannot be forced. Saudi Arabia has one of the world's toughest restrictions on women and is the only country where they cannot get behind the wheel.

The sexes are separated in restaurants and other public facilities. Women are subject to male "guardians", family members who must authorise a woman's travel, work or marriage. The kingdom's major cities are expanding their public transport networks but for the moment they remain limited, and a woman's ability to work is hindered unless she can afford a driver.