Role Of Saudi Woman In Leadership

874 Words4 Pages
The role of Saudi women in leadership Political context Although Saudi women have a pre-eminent role within the family, it cannot be ruled that the role of women in Saudi Arabian society is only confined to family affairs. Muslim custom laws limit the position of women in the political arena. These laws greatly advocates against publicity of women. However, the limited role of women in Saudi society may be attributable to education decisions in which very few women have been noted to venture in political science as it was previously closed for women. Saudi women are restricted from holding parliamentary position and even denied the right to vote or contest any political post. In the first Saudi kingdom general elections held in 2005, both women and military officers were not allowed to participate in the election process. In fact, no women was appointed to the municipal councils or Shura council during that given time( National democratic institution, n.d). However, Saudi women are allowed to enter parliament only as advisors. According to Al-Mohamed (2007), the entire Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has six women serving as parliamentary advisors, the only political position women have attained in this state. Dr. Nora Alyousif appointment as the advisor in the ministry of oil marked one of the important political position held by Saudi women. Women political leadership in this state faces a lot of challenges and limitations resulting majorly from the custom laws. The custom laws demand all women to have a male guardian who has rights and obligations over the woman in almost all aspects of life. Women are required to consult the guardian in every aspect of life and the guardian must always accompany the women to public places. However, despite the great obstacles for Saudi women, the state has made numerous reforms to include women in its leadership. In 2004, women
Open Document