Acknowledging the inherent challenges, several Saudi women have said they were ready to join the Shoura Council and contest the next municipal elections. They have whole-heartedly thanked King Abdullah for granting them the right to vote in the municipal elections and join as members of the Shoura Council. Huda Al-Jeraisy, Chairperson, Women's Branch of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WB-RCCI), said the cross-section of Saudi women expressed happiness over King Abdullah's announcement. “It came at the right time as Saudis were celebrating their National Day,” she said. However, Al-Jeraisy said it would be a challenge for Saudi women to take responsibility by being part of opinion-making at the Shoura Council and exercise voting rights judiciously by choosing the right candidates whether male or a female. The women opting to contest as candidates in the municipal council election will have to come up with ideas to help improve civic services, Al-Jeraisy said. “I think, Saudi women have to be ready to face the challenges and be part of decision-making in the national interest of the country at both levels — Shoura and municipal councils,” she said. Al-Jeraisy, who is also President of the National Women's Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI), said King Abdullah has offered ample time for Saudi women to prepare themselves for the public job. “I think Saudi women are well-educated and can responsibly take part in debates on national issues in the Shoura Council and be candidates in the municipal council election,” said Al-Jeraisy. On the issue of allowing Saudi women to drive, she, however, said that the authorities have to formulate a policy before the issue is discussed at the level of Shoura Council. “What is required is to allow the private sector to set up driving schools in the country for women and the establishment of a women's police department to effectively implement and address the issues of Saudi women drivers. These measures must be dealt with before allowing women to drive in the Kingdom,” she said. Asmaa Al-Hamad, PR consultant in a multinational firm, hailed King Abdullah's announcement saying Saudi women were awaiting such steps. “It's great to read reports in the media announcing King Abdullah's decision giving women the right to vote and join as members of the Shoura Council. I feel so happy, about this announcement, and look forward to hearing more from the King as regards allowing women to drive,” she said. Al-Hamad said she hoped that the next announcement from King Abdullah would be to let Saudi women drive “and relieve us from male-chauffeur driven cars”, adding that these are simple rights and “we want nothing more”. __
