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Saudi Arabia Elected to U.N. Commission on the Status of Women

HeadlineApr 27, 2017

At the United Nations, Saudi Arabia will begin a 4-year term in 2018 on the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, following a secret-ballot election this week. The move drew swift condemnation from critics, including UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer, who said, “Electing Saudi Arabia to protect women’s rights is like making an arsonist into the town fire chief.” Saudi women are required to be accompanied at all times by male guardians, who make decisions on marriage, travel, employment and healthcare. Saudi women are barred from holding many jobs and are prohibited from driving cars.

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