A New Door to Progress for Saudi Women

"A New Door to Progress" for Saudi VWomen -Samira Al-Suwaiyegh SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2011: SAUDI WOMEN GAIN SUFERAGE: VOTE 2015 the right the right to run for positions +1 +2 to vote in municipal elections Women can now be appointed by the King to the Consultative Assembly. However, the new rights will not apply until the next election in 2015. WHAT'S NEXT? While gaining the right to vote is a big step for Saudi women, there are other significant issues that still need to be addressed in the country. The diagrams below show how women compare to men on several social equality issues. = women = men 10% 56% 16% vs. 84% 75% vs. vs. vs. 85% 90% 44% LITERACY RATES WORKFORCE PRESENCE UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT BUSINESS OWNERS Since the 1970's, literacy rates have increased from 2% to 75% for the female population (versus 85% currently for male). While only 10% of the workforce are female, over 50% of those women are college-educated vs. 16% of male workers. 56% of women are enrolled in university and Saudi Arabia currently has the largest all-female university in the world (Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University). 16% of the large manufacturing firms are owned by women, but they still have to be granted permission of their male sponsor to travel or undertake commercial activity. MODESTY LAWS Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. They have been protesting this restriction by posting videos of women driving on YouTube and through their Twitter account, @Women2Drive. There are many homes that have two separate entrances for men and women, along with private areas to protect the women from the public. Women cannot work in public spaces to sell lingerie. They currently must purchase their undergarments from male clerks. Women are legally subject to male chaperones for almost any public activity. FULL SUFFRAGE IN ALL OF THE MIDDLE EAST? yes Turkey FULL SUFFRAGE = limited suffrage The right to vote and run in an election. Суprus Lebanon UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Syria There is no national election structure here to Israel allow voting. However, full suffrage for men and women is expected to be in place by the end of this year. Iraq Egypt Iran LEBANON Saudi Arabia Women can vote, but only if they have proof of having an elementary education. That rule does not apply to men. Kuwait IN OTHER CONTINENTS Bahrain Brunei is ruled by a sultan who appoints his own government officials, but both men and women over 18 can vote in local elections. Qatar Vatican City has its College of Cardinals, comprised of only males, who elect the leader of the Holy See. United Arab Emirates Oman Yemen visual.ly Sources: The New York Times, BBC News, International Business Times, The Guardian, NPR, The Islamic News, The Telegraph, AME Info, Freedom House, PBS, Time Magazine, Wikipedia, and Booz & Co. "A New Door to Progress" for Saudi VWomen -Samira Al-Suwaiyegh SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2011: SAUDI WOMEN GAIN SUFERAGE: VOTE 2015 the right the right to run for positions +1 +2 to vote in municipal elections Women can now be appointed by the King to the Consultative Assembly. However, the new rights will not apply until the next election in 2015. WHAT'S NEXT? While gaining the right to vote is a big step for Saudi women, there are other significant issues that still need to be addressed in the country. The diagrams below show how women compare to men on several social equality issues. = women = men 10% 56% 16% vs. 84% 75% vs. vs. vs. 85% 90% 44% LITERACY RATES WORKFORCE PRESENCE UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT BUSINESS OWNERS Since the 1970's, literacy rates have increased from 2% to 75% for the female population (versus 85% currently for male). While only 10% of the workforce are female, over 50% of those women are college-educated vs. 16% of male workers. 56% of women are enrolled in university and Saudi Arabia currently has the largest all-female university in the world (Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University). 16% of the large manufacturing firms are owned by women, but they still have to be granted permission of their male sponsor to travel or undertake commercial activity. MODESTY LAWS Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. They have been protesting this restriction by posting videos of women driving on YouTube and through their Twitter account, @Women2Drive. There are many homes that have two separate entrances for men and women, along with private areas to protect the women from the public. Women cannot work in public spaces to sell lingerie. They currently must purchase their undergarments from male clerks. Women are legally subject to male chaperones for almost any public activity. FULL SUFFRAGE IN ALL OF THE MIDDLE EAST? yes Turkey FULL SUFFRAGE = limited suffrage The right to vote and run in an election. Суprus Lebanon UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Syria There is no national election structure here to Israel allow voting. However, full suffrage for men and women is expected to be in place by the end of this year. Iraq Egypt Iran LEBANON Saudi Arabia Women can vote, but only if they have proof of having an elementary education. That rule does not apply to men. Kuwait IN OTHER CONTINENTS Bahrain Brunei is ruled by a sultan who appoints his own government officials, but both men and women over 18 can vote in local elections. Qatar Vatican City has its College of Cardinals, comprised of only males, who elect the leader of the Holy See. United Arab Emirates Oman Yemen visual.ly Sources: The New York Times, BBC News, International Business Times, The Guardian, NPR, The Islamic News, The Telegraph, AME Info, Freedom House, PBS, Time Magazine, Wikipedia, and Booz & Co. "A New Door to Progress" for Saudi VWomen -Samira Al-Suwaiyegh SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2011: SAUDI WOMEN GAIN SUFERAGE: VOTE 2015 the right the right to run for positions +1 +2 to vote in municipal elections Women can now be appointed by the King to the Consultative Assembly. However, the new rights will not apply until the next election in 2015. WHAT'S NEXT? While gaining the right to vote is a big step for Saudi women, there are other significant issues that still need to be addressed in the country. The diagrams below show how women compare to men on several social equality issues. = women = men 10% 56% 16% vs. 84% 75% vs. vs. vs. 85% 90% 44% LITERACY RATES WORKFORCE PRESENCE UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT BUSINESS OWNERS Since the 1970's, literacy rates have increased from 2% to 75% for the female population (versus 85% currently for male). While only 10% of the workforce are female, over 50% of those women are college-educated vs. 16% of male workers. 56% of women are enrolled in university and Saudi Arabia currently has the largest all-female university in the world (Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University). 16% of the large manufacturing firms are owned by women, but they still have to be granted permission of their male sponsor to travel or undertake commercial activity. MODESTY LAWS Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. They have been protesting this restriction by posting videos of women driving on YouTube and through their Twitter account, @Women2Drive. There are many homes that have two separate entrances for men and women, along with private areas to protect the women from the public. Women cannot work in public spaces to sell lingerie. They currently must purchase their undergarments from male clerks. Women are legally subject to male chaperones for almost any public activity. FULL SUFFRAGE IN ALL OF THE MIDDLE EAST? yes Turkey FULL SUFFRAGE = limited suffrage The right to vote and run in an election. Суprus Lebanon UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Syria There is no national election structure here to Israel allow voting. However, full suffrage for men and women is expected to be in place by the end of this year. Iraq Egypt Iran LEBANON Saudi Arabia Women can vote, but only if they have proof of having an elementary education. That rule does not apply to men. Kuwait IN OTHER CONTINENTS Bahrain Brunei is ruled by a sultan who appoints his own government officials, but both men and women over 18 can vote in local elections. Qatar Vatican City has its College of Cardinals, comprised of only males, who elect the leader of the Holy See. United Arab Emirates Oman Yemen visual.ly Sources: The New York Times, BBC News, International Business Times, The Guardian, NPR, The Islamic News, The Telegraph, AME Info, Freedom House, PBS, Time Magazine, Wikipedia, and Booz & Co. "A New Door to Progress" for Saudi VWomen -Samira Al-Suwaiyegh SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2011: SAUDI WOMEN GAIN SUFERAGE: VOTE 2015 the right the right to run for positions +1 +2 to vote in municipal elections Women can now be appointed by the King to the Consultative Assembly. However, the new rights will not apply until the next election in 2015. WHAT'S NEXT? While gaining the right to vote is a big step for Saudi women, there are other significant issues that still need to be addressed in the country. The diagrams below show how women compare to men on several social equality issues. = women = men 10% 56% 16% vs. 84% 75% vs. vs. vs. 85% 90% 44% LITERACY RATES WORKFORCE PRESENCE UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT BUSINESS OWNERS Since the 1970's, literacy rates have increased from 2% to 75% for the female population (versus 85% currently for male). While only 10% of the workforce are female, over 50% of those women are college-educated vs. 16% of male workers. 56% of women are enrolled in university and Saudi Arabia currently has the largest all-female university in the world (Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University). 16% of the large manufacturing firms are owned by women, but they still have to be granted permission of their male sponsor to travel or undertake commercial activity. MODESTY LAWS Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. They have been protesting this restriction by posting videos of women driving on YouTube and through their Twitter account, @Women2Drive. There are many homes that have two separate entrances for men and women, along with private areas to protect the women from the public. Women cannot work in public spaces to sell lingerie. They currently must purchase their undergarments from male clerks. Women are legally subject to male chaperones for almost any public activity. FULL SUFFRAGE IN ALL OF THE MIDDLE EAST? yes Turkey FULL SUFFRAGE = limited suffrage The right to vote and run in an election. Суprus Lebanon UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Syria There is no national election structure here to Israel allow voting. However, full suffrage for men and women is expected to be in place by the end of this year. Iraq Egypt Iran LEBANON Saudi Arabia Women can vote, but only if they have proof of having an elementary education. That rule does not apply to men. Kuwait IN OTHER CONTINENTS Bahrain Brunei is ruled by a sultan who appoints his own government officials, but both men and women over 18 can vote in local elections. Qatar Vatican City has its College of Cardinals, comprised of only males, who elect the leader of the Holy See. United Arab Emirates Oman Yemen visual.ly Sources: The New York Times, BBC News, International Business Times, The Guardian, NPR, The Islamic News, The Telegraph, AME Info, Freedom House, PBS, Time Magazine, Wikipedia, and Booz & Co. "A New Door to Progress" for Saudi VWomen -Samira Al-Suwaiyegh SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2011: SAUDI WOMEN GAIN SUFERAGE: VOTE 2015 the right the right to run for positions +1 +2 to vote in municipal elections Women can now be appointed by the King to the Consultative Assembly. However, the new rights will not apply until the next election in 2015. WHAT'S NEXT? While gaining the right to vote is a big step for Saudi women, there are other significant issues that still need to be addressed in the country. The diagrams below show how women compare to men on several social equality issues. = women = men 10% 56% 16% vs. 84% 75% vs. vs. vs. 85% 90% 44% LITERACY RATES WORKFORCE PRESENCE UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT BUSINESS OWNERS Since the 1970's, literacy rates have increased from 2% to 75% for the female population (versus 85% currently for male). While only 10% of the workforce are female, over 50% of those women are college-educated vs. 16% of male workers. 56% of women are enrolled in university and Saudi Arabia currently has the largest all-female university in the world (Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University). 16% of the large manufacturing firms are owned by women, but they still have to be granted permission of their male sponsor to travel or undertake commercial activity. MODESTY LAWS Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. They have been protesting this restriction by posting videos of women driving on YouTube and through their Twitter account, @Women2Drive. There are many homes that have two separate entrances for men and women, along with private areas to protect the women from the public. Women cannot work in public spaces to sell lingerie. They currently must purchase their undergarments from male clerks. Women are legally subject to male chaperones for almost any public activity. FULL SUFFRAGE IN ALL OF THE MIDDLE EAST? yes Turkey FULL SUFFRAGE = limited suffrage The right to vote and run in an election. Суprus Lebanon UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Syria There is no national election structure here to Israel allow voting. However, full suffrage for men and women is expected to be in place by the end of this year. Iraq Egypt Iran LEBANON Saudi Arabia Women can vote, but only if they have proof of having an elementary education. That rule does not apply to men. Kuwait IN OTHER CONTINENTS Bahrain Brunei is ruled by a sultan who appoints his own government officials, but both men and women over 18 can vote in local elections. Qatar Vatican City has its College of Cardinals, comprised of only males, who elect the leader of the Holy See. United Arab Emirates Oman Yemen visual.ly Sources: The New York Times, BBC News, International Business Times, The Guardian, NPR, The Islamic News, The Telegraph, AME Info, Freedom House, PBS, Time Magazine, Wikipedia, and Booz & Co. "A New Door to Progress" for Saudi VWomen -Samira Al-Suwaiyegh SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2011: SAUDI WOMEN GAIN SUFERAGE: VOTE 2015 the right the right to run for positions +1 +2 to vote in municipal elections Women can now be appointed by the King to the Consultative Assembly. However, the new rights will not apply until the next election in 2015. WHAT'S NEXT? While gaining the right to vote is a big step for Saudi women, there are other significant issues that still need to be addressed in the country. The diagrams below show how women compare to men on several social equality issues. = women = men 10% 56% 16% vs. 84% 75% vs. vs. vs. 85% 90% 44% LITERACY RATES WORKFORCE PRESENCE UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT BUSINESS OWNERS Since the 1970's, literacy rates have increased from 2% to 75% for the female population (versus 85% currently for male). While only 10% of the workforce are female, over 50% of those women are college-educated vs. 16% of male workers. 56% of women are enrolled in university and Saudi Arabia currently has the largest all-female university in the world (Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University). 16% of the large manufacturing firms are owned by women, but they still have to be granted permission of their male sponsor to travel or undertake commercial activity. MODESTY LAWS Women are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia. They have been protesting this restriction by posting videos of women driving on YouTube and through their Twitter account, @Women2Drive. There are many homes that have two separate entrances for men and women, along with private areas to protect the women from the public. Women cannot work in public spaces to sell lingerie. They currently must purchase their undergarments from male clerks. Women are legally subject to male chaperones for almost any public activity. FULL SUFFRAGE IN ALL OF THE MIDDLE EAST? yes Turkey FULL SUFFRAGE = limited suffrage The right to vote and run in an election. Суprus Lebanon UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Syria There is no national election structure here to Israel allow voting. However, full suffrage for men and women is expected to be in place by the end of this year. Iraq Egypt Iran LEBANON Saudi Arabia Women can vote, but only if they have proof of having an elementary education. That rule does not apply to men. Kuwait IN OTHER CONTINENTS Bahrain Brunei is ruled by a sultan who appoints his own government officials, but both men and women over 18 can vote in local elections. Qatar Vatican City has its College of Cardinals, comprised of only males, who elect the leader of the Holy See. United Arab Emirates Oman Yemen visual.ly Sources: The New York Times, BBC News, International Business Times, The Guardian, NPR, The Islamic News, The Telegraph, AME Info, Freedom House, PBS, Time Magazine, Wikipedia, and Booz & Co.