Algor Cards

Women's Suffrage Around the World

Concept Map

Algorino

Edit available

The enfranchisement of women has been a pivotal aspect of global history, with significant milestones in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Europe. Saudi Arabia's 2011 decree allowed women to vote and run for office, with the first female municipal council members elected in 2015. Sri Lanka was a pioneer in Asia, granting women voting rights in 1931 and electing the first female Prime Minister in 1960. Thailand's women's suffrage dates back to 1897, and European countries have varied timelines, with Switzerland and Liechtenstein being among the last to grant these rights.

The Enfranchisement of Women in Saudi Arabia

In a landmark move for women's rights, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia announced in September 2011 that women would be allowed to vote and run for office starting with the 2015 municipal elections. These councils are the kingdom's only semi-elected bodies and have limited authority, with half of their seats being elective. The decree was a significant advancement for gender equality in a nation known for its stringent gender norms. The inaugural municipal elections with female participation occurred in December 2015, resulting in the election of the first female politician, Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi, in the Mecca province's Madrakah. The election saw a total of twenty women securing seats on municipal councils, marking a historic moment for Saudi women's political engagement.
Three women of different ethnicities vote together, symbolizing unity and equality, with traditional clothes and a transparent ballot box.

Advancements for Saudi Women in the Shura Council

The 2011 decree by King Abdullah also included a provision for women to be appointed to the Shura Council, an influential advisory body that provides recommendations on national policy. Although the council is not an elected entity, it plays a crucial role in Saudi governance. In January 2013, two royal decrees were issued, mandating that women occupy at least thirty seats on the council, ensuring a minimum representation of one-fifth. The decrees stipulated that female members must comply with Islamic Shariah disciplines, use separate entrances, sit in designated areas, and have distinct places of worship within the council building. A partition was established to separate the genders, and an internal communication system was set up to facilitate interactions between male and female members. The first group of women joined the Shura Council in 2013, including two members of the Saudi royal family. Additionally, three women were appointed as deputy chairpersons of committees, signifying further progress in the realm of women's political participation in Saudi Arabia.

Show More

Want to create maps from your material?

Enter text, upload a photo, or audio to Algor. In a few seconds, Algorino will transform it into a conceptual map, summary, and much more!

Learn with Algor Education flashcards

Click on each card to learn more about the topic

00

Saudi King's decree on women's voting rights

King Abdullah's 2011 decree allowed women to vote and run in 2015 elections.

01

First female politician elected in Saudi Arabia

Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi, elected in Mecca province's Madrakah in 2015.

02

Authority level of Saudi municipal councils

Saudi municipal councils are semi-elected with limited authority; half seats elective.

Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

Can't find what you were looking for?

Search for a topic by entering a phrase or keyword