The world’s press, particularly in the US, has been hailing Saudi Arabia’s elections on December 13, 2015 as a breakthrough for women. But is it really? For starters, the ruller of Saudi Arabia inherits his position and is always male, and all powerful government positions are appointed by the King. Women still cannot drive legally and a mere one percent of the eligible female electorate actually showed up at the polls.
And the recent election was for municipal councils that simply provide advice about local services, writes Medea Benjamin, such as parks, road maintenance and trash collection.
