• Taxi driver Fahda Fahd sits in her car in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. Like other Saudi women, Ms Fahd couldn't legally drive until 2018, but her lime-green Kia now gives her a way to make extra cash as living costs soar in the conservative kingdom. All Photos: AFP
    Taxi driver Fahda Fahd sits in her car in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. Like other Saudi women, Ms Fahd couldn't legally drive until 2018, but her lime-green Kia now gives her a way to make extra cash as living costs soar in the conservative kingdom. All Photos: AFP
  • Ms Fahd talks to a potential passenger.
    Ms Fahd talks to a potential passenger.
  • Ms Fahd says her family is supportive of her second job, on two conditions: no long trips or men as passengers.
    Ms Fahd says her family is supportive of her second job, on two conditions: no long trips or men as passengers.
  • 'My salary is not enough for my three children, and especially for my daughter who has special needs,' she says.
    'My salary is not enough for my three children, and especially for my daughter who has special needs,' she says.
  • Ms Fahd earns a salary of 4,000 Saudi riyals ($1,066) a month from her regular job and driving brings in another 2,500 riyals.
    Ms Fahd earns a salary of 4,000 Saudi riyals ($1,066) a month from her regular job and driving brings in another 2,500 riyals.
  • Millions of Saudi women are finding jobs as female employment gains acceptance in the deeply conservative society.
    Millions of Saudi women are finding jobs as female employment gains acceptance in the deeply conservative society.
  • Women made up more than a third of the workforce last year for the first time, government figures showed.
    Women made up more than a third of the workforce last year for the first time, government figures showed.
  • Since 2018, more than 200,000 women have obtained driving licences, with car sales rising five percent last year, media reports say.
    Since 2018, more than 200,000 women have obtained driving licences, with car sales rising five percent last year, media reports say.

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Saudi Arabia

Women taxi drivers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - in pictures

Millions of Saudi women are finding jobs as female employment gains acceptance in the deeply conservative society

The National

March 13, 2022

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Updated: March 13, 2022, 10:26 AM
Saudi ArabiaWomen's rightsPhotographyTransport