Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Activists pushing for women's right to drive in Saudi Arabia declared their online campaign a success on Sunday.
The kingdom is the world's only country where women are not allowed to drive a car.
The campaign that began in 2013 year and revved up again since the beginning of the month encouraged women to post online images of themselves driving.
Dozens of women have driven and posted during the latest campaign, one activist said, although she knew of only two who hit the streets as the campaign on 26 October.
A day hasn't gone by without receiving one or two videos of women driving, said the activist.
Men and women have also posted messages of support.
The activist said she did not want to be named because the interior ministry had threatened her with arrest if she spoke publicly about the campaign.
Last year activists also focused their demands on 26 October when four driving videos were posted on YouTube.
At least 16 women were fined for taking the wheel on that day.
HUGE RISK
Asked why more had not posted images of themselves this year, the activist said there was a “huge risk” for female drivers.
Women had previously been arrested, their cars confiscated and one received 100 lashes, she alleged.
“So, women are afraid,” she said.
On Thursday the interior ministry issued a warning to would-be female drivers and their supporters.
The ministry said it would “strictly implement” measures against anybody who “contributes in any manner or by any acts, towards providing violators with the opportunity to undermine the social cohesion”.
The cativist said that meant the campaign was having an impact.
“I think it's pretty successful. If we're getting a reaction, that means we're effective.”
Sahar Nasief defied the warnings and got behind the wheel in the Red Sea city of Jeddah anyway on Sunday to run a 15-minute errand in her car because her driver wasn't available.
“The roads were full of police cars,” she said, “Everybody was on alert.”
The authorities' response showed the driving campaign has been “very successful,” she agreed.
AFP