Saudi Arabia appoints 30 female parliamentarians for first time

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

RIYADH, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia on Friday appointed 30 women for the first time to the 150-member Shura Council for the next four years, Saudi News Agency reported.

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a decree earlier in the day, announcing the names of the 30 women as part of an amendment to the Shura Council, which stipulates a no less than 20 percent quota for women in the previously all-male council.

According to the report, there will be a segregation between male and female members in the council as women would have their own gate to enter and leave the council's hall as well as the separate offices and utilities from their male colleagues.

The king highlighted that the amendment was made after reviewing the Governance Statute and regulations and consulting with a number of Ulema (scholars), said the report, adding that the newly appointed female members will share the same rights and duties of their male colleagues.