But Reforms Exclude Other Forms of Discrimination
Human Rights Watch
SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
(Amman) – King Abdullah’s announcement that women will be able to participate in municipal elections in 2015 and become members of the consultative Shura Council is a long overdue step toward greater participation of women in public life, Human Rights Watch said today. In his statement on September 25, 2011, Abdullah made no reference to reforming other areas of discrimination against women, such as the guardianship system that authorizes male control over women and the ban on women driving.
“King Abdullah’s promise that women will finally be allowed to vote is a welcome move away from the discrimination and exclusion that Saudi women have suffered for so long,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Sadly, King Abdullah’s promise of reform in 2015 doesn’t come soon enough for women to vote in upcoming municipal elections.”
Women remain excluded from participating in the municipal elections set to begin before the end of September. The kingdom held its first municipal elections in 2005, but the government barred women as voters and candidates. At the time, the government promised they would be able to participate in the second round of elections, scheduled for 2009, but postponed that vote until 2011, claiming there were “technical” difficulties with ensuring women could participate. Despite an additional two-year preparation period, the government in early 2011 announced that it would again exclude women from the 2011 municipal elections, the only elections for political offices in the kingdom.
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