Saudi Monarch gives Women Right to Vote

For the first time in his Kingdom’s history, King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud has given Saudi women the right to participate in future municipal elections.

The 87-year-old monarch made his announcement in his annual message at the Shura Council. He said, “Starting with the next term, women will have the right to run in municipal elections and to choose candidates, according to Islamic principles,” adding, “We have decided that women will participate in the Shura Council as members starting the next term.”

The next elections for the Shura Council, which is an advisory assembly, will take place in 2015.

Filed under Saudi Arabia
Tagged Elections, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, Women's Rights.