São Paulo – A decree by Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud determined on Friday (11) the participation of women in the country’s parliament, the so-called Shura Council, and specified a 20% quota for women.
A monarchy, Saudi Arabia does not have elections and the Shura Council operates as a consultative parliament which proposes laws to the king, who may approve or reject them. All members of the council are named by the king, and are chosen among scholars and specialists. Up to the publication of the new decree, participation of women in the Shura was banned.
On opening the Shura for female participation, the king has already nominated 30 women to participate in the 150 member council. They will have a designated seating area and an exclusive way in and out.
*Translated by Mark Ament
