THEY may still not be allowed to get behind the wheel, but the wheels of change have finally begun to move for Saudi women. The kingdom has announced that widows and divorced women will be issued identity cards in their own name, a measure that will enable them to take independent decisions in several important matters. These include the power to register their children in school, access records and authorise medical procedures. With family cards made in their husbands’ names, women are dependent either on spousal permission or court orders to perform these tasks. Moreover, on Dec 12, for the first time, they will not only be able to vote in municipal elections in their country, there will also be women among the candidates. These women, more than 900, have been campaigning since late November, albeit under rules meant to maintain the segregation of the sexes. These include: no holding of rallies attended by men and no meeting directly with male voters — a male spokesman will, instead, communicate with them on a woman candidate’s behalf.

It must be said that any change for the better in the status of women in Saudi Arabia — suspended in amber since some time — is something to celebrate. In fact, it is no less than revolutionary that Saudi women may soon have the chance to be considered adults capable of making basic decisions in their lives, even if they have to be divorced or widowed to do so. Ironically, that could be the proverbial silver lining in what is undoubtedly an emotionally fraught situation. Participation in the electoral process, both as voter and candidate, also confers a degree of agency not hitherto granted to Saudi women. However, it is a very controlled loosening of the reins: Loujain Hathloul, who was detained for two months by Saudi authorities when she tried to drive into the kingdom from the UAE, was disqualified from standing for election. Change has begun, but there is a long road yet to travel.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2015