Saudi Arabia is set to reach a landmark in women's rights Saturday when the women of that orthodox Muslim country will vote and run in municipal council elections for the first time. Women's participation in elections for municipal councils is seen as a positive step toward greater political participation in a country which continues to discriminate against women through myriad laws, policies, and practices.
Saudi voters will cast ballots on December 12 for 284 municipal councils, electing two-thirds of the total of 3,159 members. Municipal councils have limited responsibilities, which include overseeing urban development projects and suggesting planning regulations.
Women make up less than 10 percent of the voting pool, with 130,637 women registered, compared with 1,355,840 men.
The final list of 6,917 candidates, released on November 29, included 979 women.
Saudi women's participation in the municipal elections is the latest move toward greater roles for women in Saudi public life. In 2005, authorities allowed women's election to local chambers of commerce. In 2013, King Abdullah appointed 30 women to the Shura Council, the highest advisory body to the king.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch reported Friday quoting local activists that women faced a number of barriers in registering to vote. Saudi women also faced problems proving identity and residency. Though authorities now permit women to get their own ID cards, many women still do not have them.
"Voting and running for the municipal council elections is a landmark achievement for Saudi women," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Human Rights Watch Middle East director. She called on the Saudi government to fix the problems that are making it hard for women to participate and build on this progress to create momentum for further women's rights reforms.
