Source: Hindustan Times | Image Courtesy: lifegate
It was the first time that women in Saudi Arabia will vote. It is ironical that many want to work in the country that still has to prove itself and broaden its approach as far as women are concerned. As per Human Rights Watch, , women have complained of difficulties proving identity and residency and a limited number of registration centers.
Female candidates also were barred from speaking to male voters and required to segregate campaign offices, the organization said.
Despite granting the rights to women, they still face the tightest restrictions in the world.
The voting rights have a history of long struggle by the women of Saudi. Coming on to the restrictions, women are still not allowed to drive, and travel without the consent of the male family member.
Even for marriage women can’t marry and work without male’s permission. The condition for divorce is not as easy as man. They are even required to cover themselves in black abaya robe from head to toe. They can’t receive the came amount of inheritance as a man, can’t mingle with unrelated men in public places.
As published in HINDUSTAN TIMES Saudi women can: –
-Vote in municipal elections, the kingdom’s only polls for public official.
– Sit on the Shura Council, an appointed body which advises cabinet.
– Hold the most senior corporate executive post.
– Work in government administration and an expanding number of private sector areas, including as lawyer.
– Be forced to marry at a young age, as there is no legally defined minimum age Well, women consider it a democratic phase in a country that has dominated and always had anti-diluvian mindset as far as women rights are concerned.