Year in Review 2013: Significant year for Saudi women’s rights

2013 was a significant year for women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. Starting from January, when 30 women made history by becoming the first female members of the Shura Council, the advisory body to King Abdullah. 2013 was also the year when Raha Moharrak became the first Saudi woman to climb Everest, and online activists launched an extensive campaign to lift the ban on women driving in the Kingdom. Take a look at the highlights.

January 2013: 30 women appointed to Shura Council
In January 2013, Saudi King Abdullah makes history when he announced that 30 women will sit on the 150-strong Shura Council, which advises the government on legislation. The women are sworn in in February.

April 2013: More jobs for women
In April 2013, Saudi Arabia’s only online jobs portal for women, Glowork, holds a career fair which saw 12,000 aspiring female graduates attend. The event, in its second edition, saw several high profile attendees including Saudi personality Muna Abusulayman and Prince Fahad bin Faisal Al Saud.

April 2013:  Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal supports women driving
A long supporter of women’s rights, Saudi billionaire Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, tweets in favour of women driving, saying it will save half a million jobs held by foreign drivers.

April 2013: Ban on women cycling lifted
Saudi Arabia lifts a ban on women riding bicycles and motorbikes, allowing them to do so in recreational areas and parks.

April 2013: First female lawyer appointed
Arwa Al Hujaili becomes the first woman to be allowed to practise law in Saudi Arabia. The 25-year-old won the right after three years of petitioning the Ministry of Justice. In October 2013, four other women are granted licenses to practise law.

June 2013: Sports in girls’ schools
In 2012, Saudi Arabia made history by sending two female athletes to the Olympics and in 2013, private schools are officially allowed to offer sports and physical activities to female students.  In June, the first dedicated sports centre for girls is inaugurated.

August 2013: Saudi woman climbs Everest
Raha Moharrak makes history by becoming the first Saudi woman to conquer Mount Everest. The 27-year-old graphic designer from Jeddah completed the feat as part of a group of Arab mountaineers calling themselves 'Arabs with Attitude'.

September 2013:  Female director’s film submitted to Oscars
Wadjda, a film by Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour, is selected as the Kingdom’s official entry to the Oscars. However, the film, a groundbreaking story of a young girl and her love of cycles, failed to make the cut in December.

October 2013: Saudi women launch driving campaign
In October, activists launch a campaign to protest the Kingdom’s ban on women driving, calling on women to get behind the wheel on October 26. Several women from across the country take part, posting videos and pictures on YouTube and Twitter.