Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi symbolises slow but welcome progress in Saudi elections

A woman has won a seat on a municipal council for the first time in Saudi Arabia, after the kingdom lifted its bar on women taking part in elections.

Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi won a seat in Mecca province in Saturday’s vote.

Women have also won in several other regions in the country, including Jeddah and Qatif, reports suggest.

The election was the first where women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates. [BBC]

In these elections, 14% of the candidates were female and 9% of the electorate was female. The voting age was also reduced from 21 to 18 in these elections in which two-thirds of the seats were up for grabs. The other third of seats are appointed.