Saudi King to Grant Women Right to Vote
September 25, 2011Saudi Arabia has decided to join the 21st century.
In a five minute speech delivered Sunday to the advisory Shura Council, King Abdullah announced a significant change in the status of women.
“Because we refuse to marginalize women in society in all roles that comply with Shari’a, we have decided after deliberation with our senior Ulam’a (clergy) and others… to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term,” announced the elderly monarch.
“Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election, and will even have a right to vote,” he added.
Saudi women began a struggle for the right to vote back in April with a special campaign organized through the Twitter social networking website. Eventually dubbed the Saudi Womens’ Revolution, the movement took on a life of its own, acquiring a Facebook page and organizing groups across the country.
King Abdullah did not address the issue of whether women would be allowed to obtain a driver’s license – which is still not given to women, even though technically there is no law against it. There is, however, a law on the books forbidding a woman from driving.
Although the announcement is indeed a step forward, there is still a long way to go before Saudi Arabia can be considered a “modern” nation in terms of gender equality.
Women must still receive written permission from a male guardian – be it a husband, father, brother or even a 13-year-old son – in order to work, undergo a medical procedure, or to leave the country for a trip abroad.
Similar posts
-
Israel Is Held To A Higher Standard Than Any Country
April 25, 2024In the intricate tapestry of global affairs, one nation stands out for enduring scrutiny and condem...
-
Israel Has The Most Moral Military In The World
April 10, 2024In the heart of a region often riddled with conflict, Israel stands out not only for its technologi...
-
The Resilience of the Israeli People
April 2, 2024Visitors from around the world have seen Hamas's October 7th Massacre's destruction in southern Isr...
-
Israel: Small Size, Big Impact
March 21, 2024Nestled along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is a land of immense historical sig...
-
Israelis Are Fighting For Their Lives
February 21, 2024By Jonathan S. Tobin The world looks a lot different from Kibbutz Kfar Aza than it does in the U...
-
Over 2 Million Arabs Live In Israel
January 23, 2024In the complex landscape of the Middle East, where diverse cultures and identities intersect, Israe...
-
'Fauda' Star Idan Amedi Injured Fighting in Gaza
January 8, 2024Despite the severity of his injuries, Amedi's father assured Israeli news channels that his life is...
-
Israel Is A Great Country To Live In
December 28, 2023Nestled at the crossroads of the Middle East, Israel stands as a vibrant and dynamic nation, offeri...