WORLD NEWS: Women now to Contest for Elections For This First Time In History Of Saudi Arabia

Edeson Online News has learnt that women in Saudi Arabia can now run for public office positions. About 900 women are contesting in December 12 Municipal elections in Saudi Arabia, this is the first time females have been allowed to participate in public elections.

The absolute monarchy, which applies a strict interpretation of Islam, has no female cabinet ministers and is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive.

Restrictions remain in place despite a slow expansion of women’s rights under the late king Abdullah, who introduced the elections in 2005 and said women would participate this time around.
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