(WASHINGTON, DC) – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz issued a royal order today appointing 30 women to the 150-member Majlis Al-Shura (Consultative Council). 

The royal order mandates that no less than 20 percent of the Council’s members will be women. It stated, “Women, selected as members of the Shura Council, will enjoy full rights of membership, be committed to their duties, responsibilities and assume their jobs.”

The Consultative Council was established in 1992 with 60 members and has since been expanded to 150. Members serve four-year terms. The powers of the Council have also grown to provide for greater oversight of government functions and programs as well as broader authority to advise the Royal Court on legislative and administrative reforms.

In 2011, King Abdullah announced that Saudi women will be appointed to the Consultative Council.