Saudi Arabia - Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections

[sharon sanders]

Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections

25 September 2011 Last updated at 11:12 ET


Women in Saudi Arabia are to be given the right to vote and run in future municipal elections, King Abdullah has announced.

He said they would also have the right to be appointed to the consultative Shura Council.

The move was welcomed by activists who have called for greater rights for women in the kingdom, which enforces a strict version of Sunni Islamic law.

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[Shiloh]

Re: Saudi Arabia - Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections

But the driving ban stands!

[Giuseppe]

Re: Saudi Arabia - Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections

Old World absolute monarchies, like those in France (do you remember Louis XIV?), did not allow women to vote (in fact the vote was not in use at all) or participate in political life.

Later, the so-called constitutional monarchies (like Great Britain) did permit to elect Parliament's members by men of a certain wealth status.

In the late XIX century, some European states' sovereigns issued the so-called Chartes Octroy?, where some rights were allowed.

For the universal suffrage, men and women of all conditions, we have to wait late XIX century and first decades of XX century when people masses called with revolutions their rights.

In other words, rights - especially civil rights and political related rights - have to be gained and not allowed from a King or Dictator.

At least if we aim to be a democracy.

[sharon sanders]

Re: Saudi Arabia - Women in Saudi Arabia to vote and run in elections

I agree. This situation has to be closely monitored. My guess is that the King made this announcement because he is afraid that the "Arab Spring" will come to Saudi Arabia.