Jeddah (AsiaNews/Agencies) - For the first time in history, women will enter the Saudi Shoura Council. The announcement is not yet official, but sources within the consultative body say that King Abdullah has given the green light for the entry of 35 women. In September 2011, the king had announced his intention to open the advisory body of the monarchy to the fairer sex, after the decision to grant women the vote in the 2015 municipal elections.
Recently, the Council established an ad hoc committee to examine the measures and procedures to be taken to ensure openness and a suitable working environment for female members already by 2013.
To date, 12 women councilors are involved in the Shoura committees that determine policies for the family and for children. According to a report made by the newspaper Al-Sharq, the authorities have begun to collect the names of the future candidates who will be chosen by a special committee chaired by the king. The basic criteria for admission are: Saudi citizenship, minimum of 30 years of age, a high level of education.
The Shoura Council's bylaws do not oppose the membership of women, but since it was founded in 1993, the council has only had male members.