Saturday, December 12, 2015 was a historic day for women in Saudi Arabia.
For the first time the doors of voting stations were opened for Saudi women in city council elections; not only to choose, but also to be chosen.
Selma bin Hassab al-Atibi was the first woman in Saudi history to enter the system through the country’s elections. The locals of the Madrake neighborhood in Mecca have elected this woman as their only female representative.
The “Women’s Voting Right” law was prepared in September 2011 under orders issued by the late King Abdullah. Prior to his death he also appointed 30 women as members of the High Advisory Council prior to his death in January.
Local councils are the only state-run bodies in Saudi Arabia where members are elected directly by the people.
(Deutsche Welle – December 13, 2015)