Saudi Arabia: Women Allowed To Vote, Registration Underway

Saudi women are registering to vote in the December national elections for the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Gazette defined the registration as a “significant milestone in progress towards a participation-based society”. In an unprecedented move for a country where women’s rights are severely limited, the Kingdom’s women will not only be allowed to vote, but also run in the end of year municipal elections.

Voter registration will last 21 days.

Despite the triumphant tones in the official media, international rights activists warn there is still a long way to go before women have equal rights to men in the kingdom, defining it “only a tiny fraction of what needs to be addressed over gender inequality in Saudi Arabia”.