Saudi Women To Be Granted Right To Vote
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has announced that Saudi women will have the right to vote in future local elections. Furthermore, women will be given the right to run as candidates and to join the advisory Shura council as full members.
Saudis were largely absent from the Arab Spring pro-Democracy protests that swept the Middle East, but the country’s many liberal activists have been steadily calling for greater rights for women.
“Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior ulama [clerics] and others … to involve women in the Shura council as members, starting from the next term.” — Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, 87
Despite King Abdullah’s gradual efforts to introduce progressive political reforms, Saudi Arabia is heavily influenced by conservative clerics that oppose changes.
Women are still not allowed to be issued driver’s licenses, and they cannot leave the country or work without permission from a male relative.
“I believe this is a step to involve women in the public sphere. It is the top of the pyramid and a step in the direction for more decisions regarding women.”— Activist Naila Attar
Critics of Saudi Arabia’s ruling monarchy say that what few elections the country holds are a charade. Nonetheless, women’s rights advocates are heartened by King Abdullah’s acknowledgment that women should have voting rights.
Read more from The Guardian‘s report here
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