Loujain al-Hathloul

A Saudi Arabian women's rights activist who challenged the ban on female drivers and gender segregation

Loujain al-Hathloul (born 1990) is a Saudi feminist icon whose daring activism catalyzed historic reforms in the kingdom. Her 2014-2018 campaign to drive legally in Saudi Arabia, despite the ban, made her a global symbol of resistance. Her arrests and imprisonment - including 2018's 5-year sentence - drew international condemnation and inspired #FreeLoujain campaigns. Her advocacy extended to ending male guardianship laws, which were partially repealed in 2019. Al-Hathloul's writings like Saudi's Silent Revolution reveal her vision of gradual reform through grassroots pressure. Her 2019 UN speech condemned systemic misogyny, while her 2020 release under international pressure marked a turning point in Saudi activism. Though still under surveillance, her influence persists through her TED Talk "What I Learned from Fighting for Women's Rights" and the documentary Girl Rising. Her story exemplifies how individual courage can shift national policies, making her a pivotal figure in Middle Eastern feminism.