For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a woman has won an election after the kingdom lifted its ban on women’s participation in politics and polls.
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Her daughter, Sahar Hassan Nasief, said the experience marked “the beginning” of greater rights for women in Saudi Arabia, who are not allowed to drive and are governed by laws that give men the ultimate say over aspects of their lives like marriage, travel and higher education.
In the end, 979 women candidates and 130,637 women voters registered to participate in the election, according to Saudi election officials.
Despite the new rights extended to women, critics have said restrictions made it hard on women who wanted to run for office and vote.
Female candidates could not directly meet any male voters during their campaigns.
Aljazi al-Hossaini waged her 12-day campaign largely over the Internet, putting her manifesto on her website where both men and women could see it.
The disparity was attributed by female voters to bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of transport, the AFP news agency says.
One of the female candidates, Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi, won a local council seat in Madrakah, Mecca province, the head of the country’s election commission said. But they also acknowledged that in the Muslim kingdom dominated by the Saudi monarchy and an ultraconservative clerical establishment, change is likely to be slow.
While the election is not seen as to immediately advance the status of women in Saudi Arabia – polling booths were segregated Saturday – the country’s women have welcomed the decision.
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Their duties on municipal councils will be limited to local affairs including responsibility for streets, public gardens and rubbish collection.
The election, which does not have quotas for female candidates, is widely regarded as a small but significant opening for women to play a more equal role in Saudi society.
He appointed 30 women to the council a month later, according to the U.S. State Department.
The candidates were vying for about 2,100 council seats.
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The election was only the third one in Saudi history – with none held for 40 years between 1965 and 2005. She has taken authorities to court over her exclusion.
