Sept. 26, 2011, is a historic date for the Saudi people, particularly for Saudi women. This day marked the beginning of a new phase of transformation of the Saudi society. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has taken the initiative of giving women more say in the affairs of the state in commensurate with the requirements of progress dictated by the realities of the 21st century.
In his inaugural speech at the fifth term of the Shoura Council, King Abdullah announced that women would be appointed in the Shoura Council in the subsequent term, and that women would be eligible to run as candidates and vote in the 2015 municipal elections. As the fifth term comes to a close, it has been reported that 30 women are expected to be appointed by King Abdullah and preparations are under way at the Shoura Council to accommodate the newly appointed female members.
The preparations include setting up an ad hoc commission with the primary objective of facilitating a congenial working environment for the women members by putting together measures and procedures and selecting working area for the women members in the council.
The transformation of the Saudi society would likely take place in two stages. The first stage will start soon in 2013 with the appointment of 30 women members in the council, and it will be done within the framework of conditions formulated by King Abdullah to select the female members.
According to these conditions, a member should hold Saudi citizenship; should be a minimum of 30 years of age; should have an impeccable personal record; and possess a high-level of competence and practical experience. Hence, individual merits rather than political or social considerations will be the criteria for selecting a council member. Setting these criteria will directly benefit women and would have indirect effect on the male selection process whether in appointment or in the public voting process in municipal elections.
Traditionally, women in Saudi Arabia had no say in the affairs of the state. They are also not conspicuous with respect to their talent and work competence as their achievements are rarely known by the other segment of the society— men. Most Saudi women do not enjoy the kind of exposure their counterparts have in other countries. As a result, their achievements are for the most part remain unknown to men and the larger part of the society. Women in some cases are segregated in formal and higher educational institutions, as well as in their workplaces.
As a result, most Saudi men have little knowledge about women’s achievements, their talent and professional competence. These factors might have influenced men’s view about women in the Saudi society. Nevertheless, the initiative taken by King Abdullah will ensure that competent women are selected and given their due position in society. They will also get opportunity to represent Saudi women at the Shoura Council. The appointed women members will be under scrutiny of the entire Saudi society. So, their performance and personal conduct will be closely watched.
The second phase of transformation of the Saudi society will begin in 2015. This would be the most critical stage as Saudi women, then, would be eligible to run as candidates and vote in the municipal elections. It would be a test for those women who frequently express their interest in running and voting in these elections.
If there happens to be a significant turnout in the election, it would indicate a change in the mindset of Saudis. With women being members of the Shoura Council, Saudi men would be aware of the issues and potentials of this inconspicuous, yet important, segment of the society.
Obviously, the primary duty of women members in the council will be to serve the interests of their sisters. The exercise of this duty will be in itself a significant step in the transformation process of the society. It will help officials, decision makers as well as the entire Saudi public know about women's issues and the problems they encounter — such as in the workplace, educational institutions and at home.
Women members in the council will have power to make recommendations, which would be submitted to the king.
For being away from the decision-making process for decades, women have not been able to highlight their problems and men have not been able to feel their importance because women’s issues did not affect them. Now, women will be able to voice their issues in a proper way and in fact women can best explain their issues and present solutions in light of Shariah and traditions.
Moreover, the decision of the Saudi government to allow women to serve as defense counsel in courts would improve the legal, political and social conditions of women. Additionally, the appointment of women in the Shoura Council would raise women’s status and respect in the Saudi society, as it will become aware of women's struggle with their problems.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zuhayyan is a Saudi academician based in Riyadh. This article is exclusive to Arab News.
