Finally! Saudi Women Free to Vote in 2015 Municipal Elections Without Male Approval

In some much-awaited and welcome news, women in Saudi Arabia will not need any consent from their male counterparts to run or vote in municipal elections in 2015.

The announcement that was published in the state-run newspaper al-Watan signifies a step forward in relaxing the country's restrictions against women, the Daily Mail reports.

King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz had revealed the future amendments to the current state law during a speech in September, marking the start of a new term for the Shura Council, the formal body advising the king.

He said that women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote.

"Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior clerics and others... to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term," the king had said at that time.

However, despite the historic decision by the king, male guardian laws in Saudi Arabia remain largely unchanged.

Saudi Arabia woman are still not allowed to travel, work, study abroad, marry, get divorced or gain admittance to a public hospital without permission from a male guardian.

Source: ANI