Saudi Arabia

Saudi women beat odds, men to win 17 seats

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Big female turnout in some areas

Saudi Arabians voted 17 women into public office in municipal elections in the kingdom on Saturday, the first to allow female participation, a state-aligned news site reported on Sunday before all official results were announced.

The election was the first in which women could vote and run as candidates, a landmark step in a country where women are barred from driving and are legally dependent on a male relative to approve almost all their major life decisions.

Sabq.org, a news website affiliated with the Interior Ministry, reported that a total of 17 women had been elected in various parts of the country. Some results had been announced on the official Saudi Press Agency, including the victories of four women.

“Even if it was only one woman, we’re really proud of that. Honestly, we weren’t expecting anyone to win,” said Sahar Hassan Nasief, a women’s rights activist in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.

Aljazi Al Hossaini, who was defeated in Diriyah on the edge of Riyadh, hoped women would be included among the one-third of council seats which are appointed by the municipal affairs ministry.

In the first announcement of a woman winner, Salma bint Hizab Al Oteibi was elected in the holy city of Makkah, the official SPA news agency reported.

Winners came from the south as well, with one woman elected in Jazan region, while two others including Lama Al Suleiman will join councils in Jeddah.

Another woman, Hanouf bint Mufrih bin Ayid Al Hazmi, won in the northwestern region of Jawf, SPA said, adding that neighbouring Tabuk elected two women.

In the kingdom’s east, Sanna Abdel Latif Hamam and Maasooma Abdel Mohsen Al Rida were elected in Ihsa province, it added.

The duties of municipal councils are limited to local affairs including responsibility for streets, public gardens and garbage collection. More than 900 women were among the 6,440 candidates. They had to overcome a number of obstacles to participate in the landmark poll.

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