For us, driving is not what we are looking for, but being in the driver’s seat of our only destiny. That means ending guardianship in Saudi Arabia, which means recognizing women as full citizens. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
I love my sons, I love my husband, and I love my country. But in kingdoms of men, there are few – if any – choices for women. Or the choices are such that there is no greater pain than having to choose. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
I went to a technology conference in Germany, and there were these beautiful, model-like women standing there in front of the products. I asked a question, and she had no clue what the product was. She had to call someone from the back to explain it to me. To me, that’s using a woman as an object. To me, that’s totally wrong. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
In Saudi Arabia, they always tell us we are queens. We are pistachios. You know the nut? Like something that is protected. So even if you have a very good education, restraints are put on women. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
I almost got kidnapped trying to find a taxi in the street. In Saudi Arabia, it’s not normal for a woman to walk in the street alone, and I don’t cover my face, so I am an open target. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
The Saudi ideal of a woman is a religious mother who rarely ventures out: She shouldn’t work with men, she should be completely covered, and she shouldn’t go out alone to run errands. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
My father’s generation of Saudi men are more liberal than the men of my generation. But with women, it’s the opposite. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
That is life for a Saudi woman: wherever we go, whatever we achieve, we are the property of a man. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
I measure the impact I make by how harsh the attacks are. The harsher the attacks, the better I am doing. Manal al-Sharif Read Quote
