Speaking with AFP, Senior Resident Scholar Kristin Smith Diwan discussed the repeal of the women driving ban in Saudi Arabia: “Putting women behind the wheel is the most effective way to announce to the world -– and to Saudis — that the kingdom is entering a new era,” additionally noting, “The reign of puritanical Islam is over.”

In another piece for AFP, Diwan commented, “I think Prince Mohammed is ideologically committed to taking the Saudi state in a new direction: less austere, more nationalist.”

Additionally for AFP, Diwan noted, “Gender segregation is costly.” She continued, “As Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil becomes untenable the kingdom will need a more productive workforce and that includes women.”

Diwan additionally spoke with Financial Times: ‘The timing of this coming amid the showdown with Qatar and the wave of arrests is no coincidence.” She continued, “This transition will be difficult and the government wants to control the messaging. No alternative media narratives. No influential critical voices.”

Commenting for City Lab, Diwan discussed the role of women activists: “All suffered for their actions by being socially ostracized, losing their government jobs, and in some cases facing imprisonment.” She also said, “Though the driving decree is a big step forward, other restrictions exist and the informal barriers from society are formidable.”