Source: http://news.yahoo.com/initial-results-show-3-saudi-women-elected-first-123633610.html
Today, the progressive announcement has bee made that 20 women have been elected for local government seats. These women vary in locality, coming from big cities to small towns. Even though this 20 is a mere 1% of the 2,100 available positions, this is still seen as a step towards gender equality for women. Since 2005, this has been the first election open to women. Most women used social media to their advantage. Strict rules restrict public gender mixing, so opposite genders could not address each other in person. The General Election Committee also helped women because they recognized the women who hide their face in the traditional full body veil, so they banned both men and women from showing their face in campaigns.
This is amazing news. Of course, compared to the United States, Saudi Arabia is still in a very bad state in terms of gender equality. However, one must recognize that women didn't have the right to vote in the US until 1920. Also, taking into account Saudi Arabia's oppressive culture, this step is hugely progressive. I would also like to remind everyone that, even though Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, oppressing women is not a Muslim problem. It is a Saudi Arabian problem. Many other Muslim countries, like Turkey, have as much of an issue with gender equality as the US has. All in all, it's great seeing feminist ideals and gender equality spread.
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