Women candidates hope for better luck next time

Fuente: 
Arab News
Fecha de publicación: 
15 Dic 2015

BAHA/NAJRAN: A number of districts and provinces failed to elect women for municipal council seats in Saturday's elections despite the fact that the number of female voters in all electoral centers in Baha reached 946 voters.
The lack of election of women to municipal councils in the area has sparked questions and concerns, especially in light of the enthusiasm of female voters and keenness of officials to ensure female participation in the region.
Candidate Nora Abdullah Banyan attributes the loss of women in the elections to concerns among some voters about voting for women and broadcasting of messages stemming from private agendas that see the entry of women into municipal councils as not permissible.
She says she is pleased to have gone through the experience and is keen on participating in the next round. She urged those who broadcast messages warning against voting for women to re-examine Islamic principles and texts and to respect the direction of the state to enhance the participation of women alongside men as citizens.
“Women failed in the municipal elections,” says Nora Saad, attributing the losses to limited awareness about municipal council elections in society, especially among women.
She described the role of authorities in spreading awareness about municipal elections as “very weak,” particularly programs and activities provided to society's members, limited to only certain areas without targeting women. She said women’s dependence on social networking in spreading awareness is another factor behind their losses in the municipal elections given that many women do not use social media, as well as a lack of knowledge about the nomination and campaigning processes.
“I was surprised with the voter’s registration form when I went to the women’s election center to cast my vote,” says voter Fatma Ali. “I, as well as other women, did not know anything about it or the purpose behind it.”
Added Sara Mohammed: “We hope to see more success for women in the coming election, and that there be more awareness about the electoral process, as some in our society still view the municipal councils as only suitable for men.”

 

Fuente: http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/850621