Wednesday, 05 March 2008
RIYADH - For only the third time in the history of the Kingdom, women will be running for major office - this latest contest for board membership in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
Prince Halah Bint Abdurrahman Al-Saud, manager of the women's branch at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that women would be running and voting in RCCI's 15th board elections due in October.Women have earlier contested in board elections of the chambers of commerce of Jeddah and Dammam.
Lama Al-Sulaiman and Nashwa Taher made history by winning seats on the Jeddah chambers board in 2005. Seventeen women ran but only two of them won, alongside 10 male winners.
In the Dammam chamber elections in 2006, however, no female candidate won.
Now, for the latest contest, Princess Halah is urging businesswomen to ensure their participation, by making themselves eligible for both voting and contesting. "We urge all businesswomen who need to renew their membership with the RCCI to do so as soon as possible," said Princess Halah, referring to clause 17 of the chambers legislation that only members who have paid up their membership fee six months prior to the start of the elections are eligible to run.
"Business women should seize this opportunity to participate by either voting or running, as this would serve the cause of women's participation in advancing the economic growth of the nation," she said.
RCCI Secretary General Fahad Al-Sultan said RCCI does not discriminate between women and men and both sexes have the right and chance to take part in the forthcoming elections.
Sultan noted RCCI's successful integration of women through the women's branch.
"RCCI is committed to providing the appropriate atmosphere for women's effective participation in the board of directors, within Islamic boundaries," he said.
By Suzan Zawawi
© The Saudi Gazette 2008
