Saudi women granted right to vote
In a surprising move, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia announced Sunday that women will be allowed to vote and run at the upcoming municipal elections. Women will also be appointed to the consultative Shoura Council, which serves as a parliament in the conservative Kingdom.
An announcement about women driving was what many Saudi women were expecting, so the the news about allowing women to run and vote in municipal elections and serve on the Shoura Council took everyone by surprise. Saudi citizens on Twitter reacted with excitement.
Women have the right to to Elect , be a candidate and become a member in the Shoura council.. #HappiestDayAlive Long live The King! #Saudi
A scratch in the surface and the best is yet to come! I AM OVERCOME WITH PRIDE! AAAAH! #KingShora- a celebration cake for #ShoraWomen “@shooroq: حلينا بالكيكة :) http://yfrog.com/nzt4olpj”
However, not everyone shared the excitement. They pointed out that women in Saudi Arabia still can't drive, and they are still under male guardianship rules.
Politics in #Saudi is still an exclusive club.. Congratulations on adding female pawns to the list, though.. Really.. #KingShora
Am I supposed to be thrilled that Saudi women will vote in two years but are still under male guardianship? #21stcentury
President & members of the #Saudi consultative council don't represent people because they lack constituencies & mandates! #KingShora- Appointing #SaudiWomen to the #Saudi consultative & municipal councils is too little too late! #KingShora #kingspeech
- We still need full representation in government and in court. Oh, and on the streets. #women2drive
