Saudi women set to vote for the first time
In 2011, the late Saudi king granted women the right to vote. Now, after years of delayed elections, many women are delighted to learn that the decree is being fulfilled.
2 min read
Women comprise just 16 percent of the Saudi workforce [Getty]
Saudi Arabian women will be able to cast their votes and run for office in the country's upcoming municipal elections for the first time.
Saudi women began registering to vote in Mecca and Medina on Sunday for the elections, which will be held in December, in a move hailed as a "significant milestone" in a country where women are still banned from driving.
"The presence of women in elections as voters and candidates is very important - even if none of the women running make it into office," Zainab al-Khudairi told al-Araby al-Jadeed's Arabic service.
"Municipal elections may not be that politically important but this is a vital step forward. For the first time ordinary women have been allowed these rights," the human rights activist and author added.
Fawziah al-Hani is a women's rights activist and a hopeful candidate in the upcoming elections.
"At least 200 women are running for office around the country, making it more likely a woman will make it into the municipal councils," she said.
Haifa al-Nassar, head of Riyadh's directorate for women's services, said there would be no seats reserved exclusively for women.
"There will be no difference between men and women in the electoral process, they will both be equal in their duties and rights," said Nassar.
The new policy is being put into effect four years after the late Saudi king, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, approved the rule change in 2011.
Municipal councils prepare a municipality's budget, set taxes and supervise local financial transactions, among other local responsibilities.
In June, The Prince Sultan Fund for Women's Development launched an online awareness campaign named Your vote makes a difference to educate Saudi women on how to take part in the elections.
There have been recent signs that women's rights are slowly improving in the socially conservative Kingdom.
Last month, a study revealed the number of Saudi women not marrying young has shot up to four million, more than double the number five years ago.
Saudi women began registering to vote in Mecca and Medina on Sunday for the elections, which will be held in December, in a move hailed as a "significant milestone" in a country where women are still banned from driving.
"The presence of women in elections as voters and candidates is very important - even if none of the women running make it into office," Zainab al-Khudairi told al-Araby al-Jadeed's Arabic service.
"Municipal elections may not be that politically important but this is a vital step forward. For the first time ordinary women have been allowed these rights," the human rights activist and author added.
Fawziah al-Hani is a women's rights activist and a hopeful candidate in the upcoming elections.
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At least 200 women are running for office around the country, making it more likely a woman will make it - Fawziah al-Hani |
"At least 200 women are running for office around the country, making it more likely a woman will make it into the municipal councils," she said.
Haifa al-Nassar, head of Riyadh's directorate for women's services, said there would be no seats reserved exclusively for women.
"There will be no difference between men and women in the electoral process, they will both be equal in their duties and rights," said Nassar.
The new policy is being put into effect four years after the late Saudi king, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, approved the rule change in 2011.
Municipal councils prepare a municipality's budget, set taxes and supervise local financial transactions, among other local responsibilities.
In June, The Prince Sultan Fund for Women's Development launched an online awareness campaign named Your vote makes a difference to educate Saudi women on how to take part in the elections.
There have been recent signs that women's rights are slowly improving in the socially conservative Kingdom.
Last month, a study revealed the number of Saudi women not marrying young has shot up to four million, more than double the number five years ago.
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