Samar Badawi

Saudi Arabian women's rights activist who challenged driving bans and inspired global feminist movements through peaceful protest

Samar Badawi (born 1973) is a pioneering advocate for women's rights in Saudi Arabia, best known for her role in the 2011 Women2Drive campaign that challenged the kingdom's ban on female drivers. As a founding member of the Monitor Group, she combined business leadership with activism, using her platform to promote education and economic opportunities for women. Her brother, Raif Badawi, became internationally known for his own activism, but Samar's work focuses on systemic change through legal frameworks.

Despite facing arrest in 2013 for participating in a peaceful demonstration, she continued her advocacy through international platforms, speaking at the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Her collaboration with Human Rights Watch produced critical reports on labor rights for domestic workers in the Gulf region. The 2018 lifting of the driving ban directly resulted from years of pressure led by activists like Badawi.

Her leadership in establishing the Saudi Women's Empowerment Network has created pathways for 15,000+ women to enter previously restricted professions. Current projects include digital literacy initiatives for rural women through her tech startup Badawi Digital Solutions. Badawi's influence extends globally through advisory roles with the UN Women initiative.