In Saudi
Arabia thirty women have been appointed to the Shura Council, a group that
drafts laws, gives advice to the king and debates major issues. This is of
great significance to women because of the history of women’s rights in Saudi
Arabia and because traditionally the Shura Council consists of 150 men.
Although segregation will still be present in the form of separate seating
areas and doors, women feel that this is an important step in the direction of
equality and respect for women. The king’s decision that twenty percent of the
council should be women helped to open the door to the thirty appointed women
which consist of elite members of society including two royal princesses.
This historic event is important
not only to those who live in Saudi Arabia but to all women. It is important to
be aware of the issues that women still face so that we may learn from these
events and be able to track our progress. Although we live in the United States
there was a time when women were not as valued as they are now. Women were not
given the right to vote until 1920 and even though we have made strides since
then, there are many instances where women are undermined by men simply because
of their genetic makeup. Women in the United States may not face the same
severe acts and struggles the women in Saudi Arabia face but we are still women
and just like in Saudi Arabia we as women still have more to overcome.
Ashley Lumsden
1/22/13 2:27 PM
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