# Saudi monarch grants women right to vote **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 26, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618 "2011-09-26T02:07:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/21 "2011-09-27T19:35:09Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I wouldn’t sell life insurance to women who are among the first to run for office. 😉 Yes, I saw that headline.\* Saudis Allow Women the Right to Vote in their Rigged Elections.\* I feel like Stewart will have a good time with this. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/22 "2011-09-27T19:47:00Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > Australia as a country and voting jurisdiction did not exist in the nineteeth century. However two of the colonies that went on to become Australian states did grant voting rights to woman in the nineteenth century: South Australia in 1894 and Western Australia in 1899. IIRC Australia was the first country to give women both the right to vote _and stand for election_. Women in New Zealand weren’t eligable to stand for election (to Parliament) until 1919, and the first female MP was elected until the 1930s. Didn’t Australia have to wait until WWII to get it’s first female MP? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/23 "2011-09-28T02:48:37Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > Didn’t Australia have to wait until WWII to get its first female MP? What do you mean by Australia? If you mean the first woman elected to a parliament in Australia, then this was [Edith Cowan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Cowan), elected to the Western Australian state parliament in 1921. If you mean the first woman elected to the Commonwealth (i.e. federal) parliament, then these were [Dame Enid Lyons](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enid_Lyons) (elected to the House of Representatives) and [Dame Dorothy Tangney](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Tangney) (elected to the Senate) in 1943. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/24 "2011-09-28T03:31:12Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Yes that’s all very nice. > You got my sammich yet? I forgot - did you want horseradish or mustard on it? ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/25 "2011-09-28T03:54:20Z")
The House of Saud is being faily wise about the whole thing. I think the have seen the History of Europe and concluded that it better to lead with reform, even if in bite sized pieces (Britain), then to have it thrust upon you; (France, Russia). ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/26 "2011-09-28T07:30:01Z")
_A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes for defying a ban on women driving in the conservative kingdom, an activist says, while another woman has been arrested in the capital. Sheima Jastaniah was sentenced on Monday by a court in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, where she was caught driving in July, the activist said on Tuesday, requesting anonymity._ [Story.](http://www.smh.com.au/world/saudi-woman-gets-10-lashes-for-driving-20110928-1kw3j.html) ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/27 "2011-09-28T08:11:27Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The House of Saud is being faily wise about the whole thing. I think the have seen the History of Europe and concluded that it better to lead with reform, even if in bite sized pieces (Britain), then to have it thrust upon you; (France, Russia). I think it’s more likely they looked at pretty much every country around them and said “we might not be able to keep up this deeply corrupt and autocratic regime around as it is for much longer without a fight on our hands”. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/28 "2011-09-28T12:16:12Z")
Thin end of the wedge, next they’ll be allowed to drive motorized carriages and wear top hats too. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/29 "2011-09-28T13:15:18Z")
We saw some election posters on the way into work today, but not a one of my students plan to vote. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/30 "2011-09-28T14:08:43Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > We saw some election posters on the way into work today, but not a one of my students plan to vote. Are you in Saudi? Your username says otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/31 "2011-09-28T15:37:43Z")
Check out his location, **indian**. **Paul** used to be **Paul in Saudi** , got it changed after a move, but (some moves after) he’s now back in Saudi. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/32 "2011-09-28T15:52:28Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Check out his location, **indian**. **Paul** used to be **Paul in Saudi** , got it changed after a move, but (some moves after) he’s now back in Saudi. Oh! I missed that. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/33 "2011-09-28T16:18:21Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I forgot - did you want horseradish or mustard on it? _GASP_ How _dare_ you address me in the second person! Someone should sell you back to your family. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/34 "2011-09-28T18:31:40Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > We saw some election posters on the way into work today, but not a one of my students plan to vote. Did any of them say why? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/35 "2011-09-28T18:43:07Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > _GASP_ > > How _dare_ you address me in the second person! Someone should sell you back to your family. l’M SORRY! I’LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN! PLEASE DON’T BEAT ME! Are your students female, **Paul**? I’m curious too why they won’t vote, although I suppose I can understand it - an entrenched system doesn’t get forgotten overnight. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/36 "2011-09-28T19:31:18Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Are your students female, **Paul**? I’m curious too why they won’t vote, although I suppose I can understand it - an entrenched system doesn’t get forgotten overnight. [Michael Ironside]Something given has no value![/Michael Ironside] ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/37 "2011-09-28T19:41:08Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > We saw some election posters on the way into work today, but not a one of my students plan to vote. Isn’t this only effective from the next election; 4 years from now? ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/38 "2011-09-28T19:54:58Z")
> [@These are my own pants](#): > > Thin end of the wedge, next they’ll be allowed to drive motorized carriages and wear top hats too. Soon they may be able to show their ankles in public. Then the entire regime will collapse. ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/39 "2011-09-29T00:28:35Z")
> [@indian](#): > > _A Saudi woman has been sentenced to 10 lashes for defying a ban on women driving in the conservative kingdom, an activist says, while another woman has been arrested in the capital. > Sheima Jastaniah was sentenced on Monday by a court in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, where she was caught driving in July, the activist said on Tuesday, requesting anonymity._ > [Story.](http://www.smh.com.au/world/saudi-woman-gets-10-lashes-for-driving-20110928-1kw3j.html) Apparently, the sentence has been [overturned](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15102190). ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618/40 "2011-09-29T05:05:56Z")
Does Saudi Arabia have any sort of federal elections? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saudi-monarch-grants-women-right-to-vote/597618.md?page=3)