STAR/TRIBUNE
Article by: ABDULLAH AL-SHIHRI and HAMZA HENDAWI , Associated Press
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, considered a reformer by the standards of his own ultraconservative kingdom, decreed on Sunday that women will for the first time have the right to vote and run in local elections due in 2015.
It is a "Saudi Spring" of sorts. For the nation's women, it is a giant leap forward, though they remain unable to serve as Cabinet ministers, drive or travel abroad without permission from a male guardian.
Saudi women bear the brunt of their nation's deeply conservative values, often finding themselves the target of the unwanted attention of the kingdom's intrusive religious police, who enforce a rigid interpretation of Islamic Shariah law on the streets and public places like shopping malls and university campuses.
That women must wait four more years to exercise their newly acquired right to vote adds insult to injury since Sunday's announcement was already a long time coming — and the next local elections are in fact scheduled for this Thursday. "Why not tomorrow?" asked prominent Saudi feminist Wajeha al-Hawaidar. "I think the king doesn't want to shake the country, but we look around us and we think it is a shame ... when we are still pondering how to meet simple women's rights."
The announcement by King Abdullah came in an annual speech before his advisory assembly, or Shura Council. It is an attempt at "Saudi style" reform, moves that avoid antagonizing the powerful clergy and a conservative segment of the population. Additionally, it seems to be part of the king's drive to insulate his vast, oil-rich country from the upheavals sweeping other Arab nations, with popular uprisings toppling regimes that once looked as secure as his own.
The United States, Saudi Arabia's closest Western ally, praised the king's move.
The king, in his own remarks, seemed to acknowledge that the Arab world's season of change and the yearning for greater social freedoms by a large segment of Saudi society demanded decisive action. "Balanced modernization, which falls within our Islamic values, is an important demand in an era where there is no place for defeatist or hesitant people," he said.
The question of women's rights in Saudi Arabia is a touchy one. In a country where no social or political force is strong enough to affect change in women's rights, it is up to the king to do it. Even then, the king must find consensus before he takes a step in that direction.
Prominent columnist Jamal Khashoggi said that giving women the right to vote in local elections and their inclusion in the Shura council means they will be part of the legislative and executive branches of the state. Winning the right to drive and travel without permission from male guardians can only be the next move.
"It will be odd that women who enjoy parliamentary immunity as members of the council are unable to drive their cars or travel without permission," he said. "The climate is more suited for these changes now — the force of history, moral pressure and the changes taking place around us."
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I think it's very good that women are finally allowed to vote in Saudi Arabia. If you ask me, it's a shame that they weren't able to do that all the years before, because I think everybody whether man or woman should be treated equal. I don't care if it's a Saudi Arabian woman, an American one or a German one, woman is woman and they should be treated equal. I think it's wrong to not let them drive. Bur at least it's an afford to let them vote, maybe they will change the drive thing the next years. I'd hope that, because it would only be fair. It's not like women are worse at driving and shouldn't be allowed to do that because of that, i guess it's just because some religion thing or because they want too treat women like they are less worth than man, and that's the wrong thing to me.
ReplyDeleteIsabel S. 7
I agree with Izzy, It's crazy that woman are just now given the right to vote! Everyone should be treated equally. Why does it matter if your female, black, poor, or whatever. Your still a person and everyone should have the right to vote. Why in the world are Woman not allowed to drive yet!? That's not even a little bit fair! Just because we are women doesn't mean we aren't capable of driving. It seems like they just expect the women to sit at home all day and do chores and make their husbands sandwiches! So I think there should NOT be a law against Women being able to drive in Saudi Arabia!, but I guess getting the right to vote is a start!
ReplyDeleteSavannah T. 7
Savannah I agree-Women should have all rights that men have. By not giving women the same rights as men, your saying men are better. Women have accomplished things that have changed the world. They deserve to vote and to drive because of how they have affected everyone today. Women should be able to do whatever they want and reach their goals in life. Nothing should be in the way. They've worked hard for their rights. Voting and driving are simple rights they should be given in respect for their achievements.
ReplyDeleteElle O. 7
Okay we have yet to learn about a nation where men don't have rights!Back to reality. This is kind of ridiculous if you ask me. Voting alright I get that women are "underprivledged" in some countries, but permisssion for leaving and traveling and not being able to drive! Come on Saudi Arabia women aren't as hopeless as you might think. Anyways like already said in other comments the voting rights is a start.
ReplyDeleteKatie V.3
The whole "men in charge" thing is very offensive coming from a woman's point of view. Haven't we proven time and time again that we can do just as much if not more than men? It's unfortunate that the women of Saudi Arabia are just getting the right to vote now. Of course that's a good thing, but it's not enough. I mean, for crying out loud, they can't even drive a car or leave the country without a male guardians permission! Excuse me, but just because we're women doesn't mean we can't make our own decisions and take care of ourselves. I would be very insulted if I were a Saudi Arabian woman. It's like saying women are incompetant to do those things and stupid for even thinking they could. It would be a real confidence blower. I agree with Katie when she says we have yet to hear of a country where men don't have some rights. I'm sorry but men are definitely NOT superior to women. I also agree with Elle when she says that women have done things that have changed the world. Go back in history and see what women have accomplished and then come back and tell me they shouldn't have rights.
ReplyDeleteKimmy S. 3
I think that all people were created equal. Men shouldn't have power over women. I agree with Kimmy on that women put in as much as men do. I think it's a little ridiculous that a woman may vote on who she wants for a leader but isn't able to drive a vehicle. The fact that they have to wait four years to have even that little of rights seems crazy to me. I agree with Elle also. Women have done so many things for the world, they deserve the same rights as anyone else.
ReplyDeleteDanielle F. 3
I think that it is wonderful that in Saudi Arabia women are now given the right to vote. However, I think it is terrible that they have to wait until the next election to use this right. Women are equal to men, and there is nothing that should prevent them from having all of the rights that every person is entitled to! I also think that it is disgusting that these women have already waited so long to earn this right, and now they have to wait until 2015! This is just like the women are being teased by the government, first they are told they have the right to vote and then they are told they have to wait? This simply does not compute well. Although they can now vote, this country has a long way to go especially considering how Kimmy said that women still cant even drive a car, or leave the country without a man's permission. I also agree with Elle when she said that women have worked just as hard as men to earn their right, we have accomplished many things, and should not be subject to this kind of treatment and neglect.
ReplyDeleteAnna C 3
I think it is awesome that Saudi Arabian women were granted the right to vote. I just don't understand why they have to wait four years before they actually get to use that right. It's basically saying,"You can vote...just not yet." I understand government/politics being slow, but does it really take that long to give someone a basic right that they should have had since the begining?
ReplyDeleteIt's not like they can't handle it. I think they might take it more seriously than men, and and almost be better voters because they have waited so long.
Alex H. 3
It's definately not fair that these women have to wait so long to vote. I'm glad I live in the United States, where our Declaration of Independence states, "all men are created equal." I don't see why Saudi Arabian women even had to wait this long for voting rights. They still aren't even able to legally drive. I think this is going a bit out of hand because women deserve more rights than this. I hope that one day, Saudi Arabia will give their women the same rights we have in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteShannel D 3
I think it is awesome that women are finally getting the right to vote. i just find it unfair that they have to wait 4 more years. They have waited so long that that they have to wait even longer for it pass through the government. Women deserve more credit that what they are given I think they could possably be better voters then men.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa C 3
women not being able to drive is rediculus. what do they think there all going to run away in the middle of the night if they can drive.
ReplyDeleteNick J DAR(3)
LAST COMMENT
ReplyDeleteI think its really stupid that women can not drive. I mean come on MOST women are way better drivers, they dont show off like most guys do.
ReplyDeleteCheyenne J3
I think its an excellent thing because i think that guys shouldn't be the only ones to vote. It would be better for girls to vote too for more opinions and things like that. I think its not fair for girls to have to wait for 4 more years to vote.
ReplyDeleteMacKenzie N 1
Everyone should have the right to vote, even if they are in a different country. If you compare our country to theirs, we have it good so don't complain that you have it bad. The women here are born with their rights but the women there have to wait for their rights.
ReplyDeleteJimmy P7
i thimk that women shouldent beable to drive cus thar allways on thar darn cell phons. so i think that law is good. but the voting one is dumb thay shoould beable to vote all the time.
ReplyDeletekyle e 7
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