A video of Manal al-Sharif operating a motor vehicle in the Saudi Arabian city of Khobar in May 2011 became a flashpoint for regional social change. Filmed by Wajeha al-Huwaider and distributed across YouTube and Facebook, the footage functioned as a catalyst for the Women2Drive campaign, challenging long-standing government prohibitions against female motorists on public roads.
Professional Background
Born in Mecca in 1979, al-Sharif pursued technical training before moving into the public sphere. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computing from King Abdulaziz University and possesses professional Cisco Career Certification. For several years, she applied these skills as an information security consultant for Saudi Aramco, the national oil company, a position she held until May 2012. Beyond her technical work, she contributed written columns to the Saudi daily newspaper Alhayat.
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Take the IQ test →The 2011 Driving Campaign
In 2011, al-Sharif helped organize the Women2Drive initiative, which encouraged women to defy the de facto ban on driving. Alongside other supporters, she utilized social media to advocate for the right to operate vehicles, particularly for use during emergencies. Following the publication of her driving video in late May, authorities detained her on 21 May. She was released briefly, then rearrested the following day. Her detention prompted widespread international attention, with Amnesty International designating her a prisoner of conscience. She was eventually released on bail on 30 May under strict conditions, including a prohibition on driving and limited media interaction.
Advocacy and Literary Output
Al-Sharif continued her activism by focusing on legal and social issues, including the treatment of foreign female workers and the lack of representative elections for the Shura Council. Her efforts gained recognition from organizations such as the Oslo Freedom Forum and various media outlets. In June 2017, she expanded her influence through the publication of her first book, Daring to Drive: a Saudi Woman's Awakening, issued by Simon & Schuster. The memoir has been translated into multiple languages, including Turkish, Arabic, German, and Danish.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Mecca
- Citizenship: Saudi Arabia
- Education: King Abdulaziz University
- Occupation: Computer scientist, writer, activist
- Notable Award: Václav Havel Prize (2012)
- Book: Daring to Drive: a Saudi Woman's Awakening (2017)
- Languages: Arabic, English
Questions readers ask
What was the primary goal of the Women2Drive campaign?
The campaign sought to end the de facto ban on women operating motor vehicles on public roads in Saudi Arabia.
Why was Manal al-Sharif detained in 2011?
She was arrested for inciting women to drive and rallying public opinion after posting a video of herself operating a car in Khobar.
Achievements
- Václav Havel Prize — 2012
- Educated at King Abdulaziz University
