Saudi women’s progress to Shoura Council in focus

Until recently, the family book was the only ID available to Saudi women due to a number of justifications that start with values and traditions, and end with religious fatwas.
Times have changed. At least 30 Saudi women are now asserting their position in the Shoura Council as its full members.
The past no longer haunts them as women in the Kingdom today possess the right to vote, and will be able to nominate themselves for the forthcoming municipal elections in 2015. Indeed, a few advocates for women rights even dreamed of realizing the achievements that came on the back of the decisions made by the late King Abdullah which were issued two years ago and were welcomed by local and international observers.
It is thought that the initial development of women's rights in the Kingdom can be traced back to the era of the late King Faisal and his decision to permit the education of young girls in schools. Though the starting point of this continuing human rights process is still up for debate, it is clear that gradualism has nonetheless been the leading hero of the story.
With this in mind, some say the defining point in this gradualism was the decision taken by the administration of Prince Nora bent Abdulrahman which mandated that university acceptance can only be granted through the presentation of a citizen's ID card.
While this raised much controversy at the time, the Kingdom's universities followed suit, meaning that female Saudis can now hold such ID documents that are integral to their human rights.
Although there are still some gaps hindering the path of Saudi women toward receiving their rights in full, such serious issues related to their nonparticipation in sports at school and to drive cars, Saudi women are refusing to lay down.
Rather, they are actively working toward the day when both themselves and their daughters can becomes citizens of their nation to the same extent as Saudi men, and can exercise their role in the development of their country.