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Official: Saudi Women Can Vote, Run for Office Without Male Approval in 2015

Official: Saudi Women Can Vote, Run for Office Without Male Approval in 2015

A Saudi official says for the first time, women in the conservative kingdom will not need a male guardian's approval to run or vote in municipal elections in 2015. (AP File Photo)

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (The Blaze/AP) — Women in Saudi Arabia will not need a male guardian’s approval to run or vote in municipal elections in 2015, when women will also run for office for the first time, a Saudi official said Wednesday.

The change signifies a step forward in easing the kingdom’s restrictions against women, but it falls far short of what some Saudi reformers are calling for.

(Related: Islamic Academics: Allowing Saudi Women to Drive Would Lead to ‘Surge in Prostitution…Homosexuality & Divorce’)

Shura Council member Fahad al-Anzi was quoted in the state-run al-Watan newspaper saying that approval for women to run and vote came from the guardian of Islam’s holiest sites, the Saudi king, and therefore women will not need a male guardian’s approval. The country’s Shura Council is an all-male consultative body with no legislative powers.

Despite the historic decision by the king to allow women the right to participate in the country’s only open elections, male guardian laws in Saudi Arabia remain largely unchanged. Women cannot travel, work, study abroad, marry, get divorced or gain admittance to a public hospital without permission from a male guardian.

The country is guided by an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam called Wahhabism.

Hatoun al-Fasi, a women’s history professor in Riyadh, said just the announcement that Saudi women can run for office and vote without permission will stir debate.

“It’s being brought up out of the blue and could open doors to discussions that we have enough of already,” al-Fasi said.

While King Abdullah has pushed for some changes on women’s rights, he has been cautious not to push too hard against ultraconservative clerics, who have in the past challenged social reforms. Saudi‘s ruling family draws its legitimacy from the backing of the kingdom’s religious establishment.

The male guardianship laws are particularly stifling for women, Saudi female activist Wajeha al-Hawidar said.

“These laws make the woman like a child in all aspects of her life. She is not dealt with as an adult with a fully developed brain,” al-Hawidar said.

The restrictions are practically all-encompassing.

Saudi women cannot study abroad unless a male guardian approves and accompanies them throughout their studies. Government-run hospitals are allowed to perform surgery on women only with approval from a male guardian, except in emergencies. Male guardians in Saudi Arabia are allowed to remove their daughters or sisters from school at any time. In the case that a father, uncle or brother is not available, mothers turn to their sons for approval to work or travel.

“Male guardianship laws are a problem that the Saudi woman has been dealing with for years. It’s our number one demand that these laws be revoked,” al-Fasi said. “It goes against the social rights that Islam gives women.”

Al-Fasi and other Saudi women have been pushing the Saudi government for social reforms and greater rights for women, including to allow women the right to drive and for the dissolution of male guardianship laws. Saudi women have staged protests defying the ban.

Al-Hawidar said Wednesday’s announcement means another barrier for women in Saudi Arabia has been lifted. However, she said the government might not see it through, because of expected resistance by those opposing such reforms.

“There are people in the government willing to listen reasonably, but people in society are not,” al-Hawidar said. “They will hate you just for being different, and with these people there is no common language.”

Comments (39)

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  • AmeriCat
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 6:25pm

    Oh sure….the women will have so many rights…

    in 2015…..oh, and only for local elections!

    Report Post »  
  • BeckaBrwnEyes
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:12pm

    So, this occurs in four years? Why the wait? How come not now? Perhaps because there is no real intention of this ever occurring. Four years is a long time. There will be roadblocks thrown up immediately, and the decision will be repealed. I give it about six months at the most. It’s always a lie. Always.

    Report Post »  
  • jacobstroubles
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 1:25pm

    Still wont ever make up for the horrific crimes committed against them for all those years.
    They still worship a vile pedophile… allaha, so whatever.

    Report Post »  
    • jkjk
      Posted on December 29, 2011 at 3:01pm

      Wow, voter fraud is going to be a huge problem ! Those savages are all covered up.

      Report Post » jkjk  
  • nosharia
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 1:08pm

    Does Hillary Clinton condone the way muslim women are treated?

    Report Post »  
  • nosharia
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 1:06pm

    Why are there so many articles on muslims? I don’t care how they are treated. If they put up with it, they must LIKE it.

    Report Post »  
  • GETLIFE
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Wow great! They’ve come such a long way– let’s sell them some fighter jets!

    Report Post » GETLIFE  
  • GETLIFE
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 12:59pm

    Surely they won’t be alowed to vote without a male “guardian.”

    Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on December 29, 2011 at 1:02pm

      I mean they won’t need their “approval” to vote– just to get out of the house and to the voting place alone.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 12:50pm

    While females in Saudi will be able to vote, they’ll still be stoned to death for being a rape victim.

    Report Post »  
  • BannedByHuffpo
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 10:58am

    VOTE!?! WTF??? This will only lead to more promiscuity and prostitution.

    Report Post » BannedByHuffpo  
    • jzs
      Posted on December 29, 2011 at 11:29am

      The United States passed the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to vote in 1920. Of course, it took about 40 years of arguing to get that done. Now in the US most people agree that women should have the right to vote, and many also agree that minorities should have the right to vote.

      Report Post » jzs  
  • hud
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:51am

    Probably a ploy to get the progressive women in the open, a target rich environment.

    Report Post »  
  • GETLIFE
    Posted on December 29, 2011 at 9:09am

    Slavery by any other name is still slavery.

    Report Post » GETLIFE  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:29pm

    They just need to stay there, in their assbackward hellhole… Remember the good ole days when we didnt know or care what shia or a damn sunni was ? Who cares how they treat their women, if their own women dont care….. We need to handle our business and stay the hell out of everyone elses…. If those women wanna rise up thats fine, but until then lets stay out of it…

    Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on December 29, 2011 at 12:24am

      What difference does it make – their elections are rigged anyway – these pathetic beings are cursed with a cursed plain and simple.

      Report Post » db321  
  • NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:23pm

    I have always looked at it this way–You have petty little men who have petty little organs trying to be great big men with gargantuan organs telling women that 4 inches is really 9 . What else is there to say?

    Report Post »  
    • Hrothgar
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 11:32pm

      Oh man that photo, their eyes are too sexy! Why can the Saudi’s make them hide those sexy peepers. Oh my its like a Islamic porno when you see their eyes, such dirty girls.

      Report Post » Hrothgar  
  • Dave In Arizona
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:18pm

    Yep, women can now vote and run for office. The catch: they’re not allowed out of the house.

    Report Post » Dave In Arizona  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:24pm

    Where is Gloria Steinem, or Hillary, or Nancy Pelousy, or Barbara Boxer, or any of the NAG group?? Where is Helen Thomas, or any of the Feminazi’s?? Where is Rose Ellen??

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:06pm

    Thats only if their husband okays it first… This story is smoke and mirrors! These women are nothing more than chattel.. God help them!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • notreally
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:37pm

    Don’t be fooled by these minor concessions to basic human rights granted by these Muslim male masters. It’s all a game with them, the ultimate goal being Sharia law for the world. Turkey’s PM Recep Erdagon summarizes it perfectly:

    -5/11/03 NY Times: “Democracy is like a streetcar. When you come to your stop, you get off.”
    -8/21/07 Reported by Milliyet, Turkey: He commented on the term “moderate Islam” saying, “There is no moderate or immoderate Islam. Islam is Islam and that’s it.”
    -2/13/08 telegraph.com UK: “Assimilation is a crime against humanity.”
    -12/09 Syrian Arab News Agency: “Islam means peace, and it cannot tolerate terrorism. We reject all attempts to link Islam with terrorism.”

    Liberals love to cite Turkey as the best example of how Islam can accomodate democracy.

    Report Post »  
    • Grey Eagle
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 8:07pm

      Why must they wait for 4 more years? Why can’t they drive a car? The women are still mistreated by the men there. They can be battered, raped, forced to marry someone they hate. Essentially bartered and sold to the highest bidder. This is nothing more than a joke.

      Report Post »  
  • FedUpAlready
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:20pm

    I can’t help myself, What a perfect world for men!!!!!!! Who, gave them the right to treat women like cattle, or slaves or whatever? Mohammad, in this day and age would be in Jail as a CHILD MOLESTER, and, RAPIST. When will women around the world know that they shouldn’t be subsurvient to anyone but the Lord thy God. Not to any mortal man?

    Report Post » FedUpAlready  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 9:33pm

      Women are the “weaker vessel,” which means that if men choose to kill, rape and enslave them, and other MEN do nothing to free them, they will be victimized. The thing is, those savages have their filthy eyes set on OUR women. That’s why we need to kick Hussein out and send Ron Paul into permanent retirement.

      Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:19pm

    My heart aches for these women, they live in servitude to men, and that is not God’s plan. We are supposed to be equally yoked, helping and loving each other. How can that happen in that society except by accident? I am sure there are some devoted couples, and families that genuinely love each other. That said, when men are given too much dominion over other’s lives, it tends to lead to the kind of dominion that is not so righteous. If you can beat someone instead of talking and working it out, some people will always choose force. What is sad, is boys are taught to totaly disregard the feelings and needs of females. We got a view of that with the women reporters. The more I know about Islam, the less I believe it has anything at all to do with God. I bet not too many women run for office, or vote (unless they are directed).

    Report Post »  
  • FedUpAlready
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:00pm

    Can you imagine being a woman alone without family, and, unable to even go to the market without being accompanied by a male guardian. What do you do if you only had female children, or only female relatives? This kind of antiquated life is unfathonable in this age of flight and electronics, automobiles etc. Women are considered no more valuable then a slave, goat, or, sheep, and in that order of importance! Can You Imagine Christ treating his mother that way? Pathetic is all I can say!

    Report Post » FedUpAlready  
  • phillipwgirard
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:57pm

    The Saudis don‘t know whether they’re SHOT, FU@KED, POWDER BURNT, OR SNAKE BIT…

    Report Post » phillipwgirard  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:56pm

    Only if they have a drivers license is in fine print at the bottom of the official notice most likely .Wahhabbist thats the sect of islam that dear leader was schooled by in indonesia back in his barry soteoro days and the sect of osama bin fish food

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
    • AMERICA4EVER
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:38pm

      And if the women don’t vote “right”, it’s off with their heads.

      Report Post »  
  • South Philly Boy
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:42pm

    Don’t hold your BREATH

    Report Post » South Philly Boy  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:39pm

    they can vote without male approval in 2015,really. you can bet that there husbands will beat the heck out of them,that is what they are taught to do by their Islamic religion. so if they are willing to vote with a black eye and are willing to die for voting, then i wish them all the luck in the world, and we take voting for granite here

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on December 28, 2011 at 7:05pm

      By 2015, there shouldn’t be any of them left. I heard it thru the grapevine.

      Report Post »  
    • macpappy
      Posted on December 29, 2011 at 8:15am

      @chips1
      Either that or you will be wearing a turbine on top yo head. Thats right, I said Turbine.

      Report Post » macpappy  
  • Robert-CA
    Posted on December 28, 2011 at 6:31pm

    Maybe it‘s not a big deal for us but if it’s true Saudi’s are making a big move here toward progress .
    But are they gonna do it ?

    Report Post » Robert-CA  
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