Small steps for women's rights and democracy in Saudi poll
Source: Reuters
Saudi Arabian women are running for election and voting for the first time on Dec. 12, but their enfranchisement marks only a pigeon step towards democracy and gender equality in the autocratic Islamic kingdom.
"For 10 years, since men first voted, we have waited for this chance," said Fawzia al-Harbi, one of hundreds of female candidates who began campaigning this week. "Now they have given it to us I decided I have the ability to do it."
Fully veiled apart from her eyes and hands and with male chaperones at her side, she met potential voters in a Riyadh shopping mall. Only a fraction of them actually will go to the polls however, and the councils they will choose will have little power.
The ruling Al Saud dynasty has no intention of sharing power with elected politicians, say analysts, and it fears combative campaigns or rapid social reform could unleash unrest in a patriarchal state with deep tribal and religious loyalties.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/12/01/us-saudi-election-idUSKBN0TK47E20151201
I dunno; those shapely fingers might be intended to entice voters...
= new reply since forum marked as read
One Ostrich stop for Womankind!
I guess.
