Saudi Arabia elected to UN Women’s Rights Commission

YemenExtra

M.A.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been elected to the United Nations’ Women’s Rights Commission, letting this Gulf nation join the 45 countries on this council.

Sparking rage from human rights organizations around the world, Saudi Arabia joined this council that is allegedly “promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.”

Contrary to the human rights groups denouncing the election of the Gulf kingdom, the newest Prime Minister of New Zealand welcomed the Saudis.

“It’s important to support those in the country who are working for change for women. Things are changing, but slowly,” New Zealand’s PM Helen Clark said on Sunday.

“The World Economic Forum’s 2015 Global Gender Gap report ranked Saudi Arabia 134 out of 145 countries for gender equality. It is the only country in the world where women are prohibited from driving and are unable to obtain a driving licence,” the Independent spoke on Monday.