Saudi King Abdullah said on Sunday that women in Saudi Arabia are now allowed to vote, run in municipal elections and be appointed to the consultative Shura Council, local media reported.
"Because we refuse to marginalize women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior ulama [clerics] and others... to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term," he said.
King Abdullah said the decision had been taken after talks with senior Muslim clerics (ulama).
"Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote," King Abdullah added.
Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country conservative on women's lifestyles. It prohibits women from driving or leaving the country unaccompanied.
