Saudi King Appoints 30 Women to Consultative Counsel

For the first time, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia appointed 30 women to the Consultative Council, after issuing a decree that 20 percent of members should be women. The women must be fully covered, use a separate entrance and sit in a separate section. “I’m very happy. This is a step forward,” said Wajeeha al-Howaider, a leading women’s rights activist. “Women’s representation, though small, will help women because their issues will be addressed more.”