One step forward for Saudi Arabian women!

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia made a milestone announcement for women’s rights in the Middle East. Women in the country may be appointed to the king’s advisory council (called the Shura council), and they will also be allowed to run for municipal office and nominate candidates for office, which amounts to what we would call voting, CNN reports.

The snag? There’s no timeline for these changes to actually take place. While elections will be held this Thursday, women will not be able to participate this time around. If the election timetables remain unchanged, women could be appointed to the Shura council in a year and a half, and to municipal office in four years. Delays to the Saudi election calendar, however, are anticipated—this Thursday’s elections are the second since the ‘60s.

We are cheering for women across the globe to finally receive equal rights, but we’re hesitant to pat King Abdullah and the Saudi government on the back just yet. While receiving the right to “vote” is a great step forward, we eagerly await the day when it becomes a reality rather than a promise.

And while we’re at it, it would be great if women could, you know, drive a car or travel solo or work without being granted permission by a male guardian. Or take a rapist to court. Under current Saudi law, female rape victims are considered at fault for the crime because
they mixed with members of the opposite gender illegally. Hmm…
 
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