She's told the BBC the hope is that women will come out en masseto drive on that day. She says the campaign's meant to be agrassroots movement open to all Saudis - men as well as women - to show their support. Hundreds of messages backing the campaign have already been posted. Well-known Saudis are due to give their public backing, while videos of women driving will be posted when they emerge.
Women activists say the issue of being allowed to drive is key to their gaining other rights, such as freedom from what many see asoppressive male guardianship. They argue that there's an ironyin the ban on driving as it means that women must rely on male drivers, thereby spending large amounts of time with a man outside their family. In other circumstances, this would be condemned as a serious transgression of the country's deeply conservative interpretation of Islam.
Those who oppose women driving do so on the grounds that it wouldviolate that deeply traditional code. In public, there've been some signs that Saudi officials may be softening their line on women driving. That's a change from several years ago when women were arrested or lost their jobs for taking to the wheel as part of similar campaigns. But Eman al Nafjan says persistent rumours that the ban might be lifted soon are so far nothing more than that.
Summary:
Saudi women activists have launched a new campaign for the right to drive. Women aren't allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, although there's no formal law banning them.
Difficulty words:
1. pervasive - noticeable everywhere; becoming widespread
2. activist - person who takes part in activities that hope to achieve political or social change
3. set things in motion - started
4. en masse - together as a group
5. grassroots - ordinary people in a group or country, not its leaders
6. backing - support
7. oppressive - unfair or cruel
8. guardianship - legal control and responsibility
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