RIYADH — The next municipal council elections are expected to have at least 30 women candidates standing for seats all over the Kingdom, the Makkah daily reported. The general coordinator of the Baladi Initiative, which trains women to be decision makers through seminars and workshops, said these candidates are ready to stand for the elections. Hatoon Ajwad Al-Fasi said: “We currently have the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation and the Arab Urban Development Institute as partners and we are trying to reach out to the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.” She added the workshops and training for the elections and general affairs were offered from August 2013 until May 2014. “We had 365 participants who were educated on local councils and general affairs. “Judging by the number of participants, we can say Saudi women from various cultural background and ages are willing and prepared to be candidates or organizers and coordinators in the elections.” She also added the Baladi Initiative is willing to accept any woman with the “drive and desire” to serve her community. “We are currently focusing on training the 30 candidates for the elections and organizing committees. “Although we are not the only ones offering training sessions for women, we do always aim to bring women into their own societies and have them among the decision makers to improve their societies.”
