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Suffrage is one of the oldest issues that women’s rights activist have been fighting for. The struggle to gain suffrage is often referred to as the first wave of feminism. In 1906

Finland became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote and stand in elections. Now, 105 years later, Saudi women have also taken a step towards equality with the decision of King Abdullah to grant the women of Saudi Arabia the right to vote and stand for election. The right for women to vote and stand in elections hasn’t always been the case in the West, for example in Switzerland women got suffrage as late as 1971.

According to the decision made by King Abdullah, Saudi women can take part in municipal elections – the only public elections in Saudi Arabia. Women will also be able to be members of the Shura Council which has the power to propose laws to the King.

The announcement has been received with mixed emotions. According to the international organization of Parliaments, IPU, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the decision means that no country in the world now discriminates against women when it comes to electing leaders. Others remain more sceptical. For example professor and researcher Stéphane Lacroix said in an interview for French newspaper Libération that this decision does not fundamentally change Saudi society.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the recent announcements. He believes that these represent an important step in the realization by women in Saudi Arabia of their fundamental civil and political rights.

It will be interesting to see how this law will be implemented and if it succeeds in advancing women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.

Disponível em: <http://www.create4theun.eu/women-all-around-the-world-areallowed-to-vote/>  Acessado em 2 de outubro de 2011.