Women will have more political rights in Saudi Arabia

by Sarah Harper

Saudi Arabia's king said Sunday that women will be given the right to vote and the right to run for local office in 2015, according to the Associated Press.

According to BBC News, King Abdullah gave the historic speech in front of the Shura Council, which will soon be composed of females as well as males.

Many feel that this move is a step forward, but some are skeptical that women's freedoms will still be limited by restrictions such as the guardianship system - a system in which women cannot participate in public life without permission from a male relative, according to BBC News.

In addition, many women are irritated by the prospect of waiting four years for rights when the next local election will be held Thursday, reports the Associated Press.

The Associated Press reports that Saudi feminist Wajeha al-Hawaidar said, "Why not tomorrow?"