For the first time in Saudi Arabia’s history, women will be able to hold a political office. In a highly regarded yet controversial move, the King of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah swore in 30 women to become part of the Shura Council. This marks the entry and participation of Saudi Arabian women into the political and public arena. The King himself welcomed the women during the televised swearing-in ceremony. The Shura Council is an important group responsible for advising the government on various policies, especially in legislative matters. It is comprised of 150 members, which were previously all men. With 30 women on the council, this makes one-fifth of the council female.
Proponent of reform
King Abdullah is often seen by his countrymen as pushing for gradual reforms in the kingdom. Under his rule, women will finally be able to have the right to vote in the upcoming 2015 elections.
In his welcome speech, King Abdullah said to the women appointees, “Your place in the Shura council is not as those who have been honoured, but as those who have been charged with a duty, as you represent part of society.”
It was back in 2011 when King Abdullah first announced that he would appoint women into the esteemed council. In January 2013, he finally announced the names of the 30 women appointees.
Saudi female empowerment
The women who were recently appointed and sworn into the male-dominated council hope that their appointment will help Saudis see women in a new light.
Thurata al-Arrated is one of the new female council members that the king appointed. She feels that this is a big step towards change and the empowerment of women. The council member is hoping that women can have “greater participation in the general affairs of the country.”
Currently, Saudi women are not able to participate much in public life. Restrictions include not being able to travel unless they have express permission from a male guardian or even open a personal bank account. They are also forbidden to interact with the opposite sex whom they are not related to. They are still not allowed to drive and they cannot hold a high ranking political office.
Critical response
Critics aren’t however entirely happy with the move. First, the Shura Council is comprised of people who have all been appointed by the king. Next, the council has no power to make any laws, as they can only advise and lobby for certain issues. Also, conservatives claim that appointing women into the Shura goes against Islamic Law or the Sharia.
In response, the King has said that before he made the decision to appoint 30 women into the council back in January, he consulted extensively with various religious scholars on the matter.
Photo Attributed to Wikimedia Commons King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
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