Women's Rights In Saudi Arabia

Despite recent media attention stemming from Saudi Arabia's recent legislative decision to allow women the right to vote and run in the 2015 municipal elections, the truth remains that Saudi Arabian women remain some of the most tightly-controlled and oppressed populations in the world in terms of legislation and cultural practices -- both of which prohibit them from having the same rights as men. In viewing the existence and role of Saudi Arabian women in society, the struggle towards equality remains one that is both difficult and unprecedented largely because of the cultural, economic, and educational burdens that exist within the country, along with legislation on women's rights lingering years behind that of the western world.

Cultural Burdens

Women's rights in Saudi Arabia are largely defined by the teachings of Islam and Islamic Law known as Sharia, which are based on the Qur'an and the...
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