Closed captioning of: Saudi Arabia to allow women to vote in 2015
>>>
overseas tonight there's pretty revolutionary news from
saudi arabia
. widely seen as one of the most repressive places on earth for
women
. they may be seeing the
handwriting on the wall
.
women
have been given the right to vote starting four years from now. our report tonight from stephanie gosk.
>> reporter:
it is the birth place of islam, and governed by one of the strictest interpretations of
muslim law
in the world. change in
saudi arabia
happened slowly, but it's happening. for the first time in this country's history,
king abdullah
has given
women
the right to vote and run for
political office
.
women
can't actually go to the polls until
2015
, and the elected council has little power over
king abdullah
. supporter of
women
's rights say this is a significant step.
>>
it is seen as a real commitment in terms of leadership, to ensuring
women
's power in the future.
>> reporter:
women
in
saudi arabia
can't leave the house without being fully covered and accompanied by a male guardian, regardless of their age. they aren't even allowed to drive. dozens of saudi activists got behind the wheel last june. one of the organizers now faces a criminal trial. the driving law hasn't changed, but
king abdullah
seems to have gotten the message.
>>
the arab revolution, plus
technological change
, and
women
leaders fighting for their rights has all come together at a unique moment in time.
>> reporter:
the king has raised salaries for government workers, increased unemployment benefits and housing. now that
women
have a voice, the calls for more change may grow even louder. stephanie gosk, nbc news, london.
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