The Saudi king has granted women seats on the country’s top advisory council for first time. The move heralds a much anticipated step for women to get a foothold in a country where men dominate the political system and ultraconservative Islamic law tightly controls female daily life.

“The decision is good but women issues are still hanging,” said Wajeha al-Hawaidar, a prominent Saudi female activist. “There are so many laws and measures that must be suspended or amended for normal women to be dealt with as grownups and adults, without a mandate from guardians.”

The nation’s official news agency said that King Abdullah issued two royal decrees granting women 30 seats on the Shura council, which has 150 members plus a president. The council reviews laws and questions ministers, but doesn’t have legislative powers. All members are appointed by the king and serve four-year terms.

Since 2006, women have been appointed as advisers only.

The king’s decrees come as part of his incremental steps toward modernisation.

In 2009, the king inaugurated the first university where male and female students share classes. He also granted women the right to run for office in the 2015 municipal elections for the first time and where candidates would not need the approval of a male guardian to run or vote.   »»» guardian.co.uk

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