First Female Candidates Elected To Office In Saudi Arabia

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:03:24 -0500

A female has won a political position in Saudi Arabia. The positions they were allowed to run for were low level positions in three municiple councils. Some people want to herald this a big win for women in the region. The truth is this is the tiniest of baby steps to be won by women in the region.

The candidates were and are not allowed to speak directly to the male population or male politicians.

The candidates are not allowed to have their faces shown publicly.

They will not be allowed to occupy the same space as male politicians.

Many female voters were not allowed to vote because they were unable to produce identification or drive themselves to the polls. This is not because they don't have it but because it is in the possession of their male family members. The result of this was a low turnout of the female population.

In Saudi Arabia where Wahhabism is predominately practiced this event is viewed as an attempt to Westernize the region and it is expected that the candidates will face backlash (resentment) as a result of this.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/13/world/first-women-elected-to-office-in-saudi-arabia/index.html

First women elected to office in Saudi Arabia - CNN.com

At least six women have been elected to public office in Saudi Arabia, according to preliminary results published in state media.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 13 at 2015 8:08 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:08:01 -0500

Great! More (equivalent) power for women is generally a stabilizing force in the world. I just hope there isn't much backlash.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 8:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:09:55 -0500

Ma'am, it may be a baby step, but it is a step in the right direction.

Response by Sgt Mike Williams made Dec 13 at 2015 8:11 PM

Sgt Mike Williams — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 20:11:49 -0500

Although it isn't the amount of progress most would hope to see, it is progress, nonetheless.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 13 at 2015 9:28 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 21:28:39 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Good. It's a start. I firmly believe that there is no greater thing that can bring about stability in the Middle East, than the education and empowerment of women. Men who have to come home and be accountable to wives, mothers, sisters, etc...are much less likely to act out.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Dec 14 at 2015 12:37 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 00:37:10 -0500

They should vote on letting woman drive vehicles. That will be a good start towards women's rights.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 1:25 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 01:25:18 -0500

I'm wondering how they will ever know who or what was elected!!!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 14 at 2015 5:03 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 05:03:16 -0500

I heard the CEO of one of the big dept stores just gushing about it. She was just head over heels about the election she just so happens to be a Princess of the Royal Family and US Educated.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 14 at 2015 6:12 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 06:12:23 -0500

Progress...If you say so. This is the 21st century and look how most of the women in the photo are dressed. A woman wins a low level election in Saudi Arabia and we think that is progress. This is a more likely a misdirection by the ruling elite (it is a monarchy) to make the west think they are making progress. We will fall for it almost every time.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Dec 14 at 2015 12:34 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 12:34:12 -0500

It is good to see that women's rights are finally starting to occur in this part of the world, the sad part is that men continuous use of religion/God to suppress women; which is an excuse of last resort. Weak men do this things.