Saudi women in the Shoura Council
At least 20% of council seats held by Saudi women
Vibrant Society pillar2 sourcesLast verified 2026-05-18
Hero metric
Women in Shoura Council
≥20%
CurrentAt least 20% of council seats held by Saudi women
Publishers include: GASTAT
The Story
Before
The Shoura Council, Saudi Arabia's consultative body advising on legislation, was historically all-male.
Initiative
A 2013 royal decree appointed 30 women to the Council and mandated a minimum 20% female membership.
Outcome
Women hold at least 20% of all Shoura Council seats — a structural minimum, sustained across multiple Council renewals.
For citizens
Saudi women have direct voice in shaping the laws that affect their lives. Representation in policy formation is now structural, not symbolic.
Timeline of Milestones
2013
First 30 women appointed to Shoura Council
2025
Women hold ≥20% of Council seats
Evidence library · 2 primary sources
Sorted by tier, newest first
Saudi unemployment rate
Halved since Vision 2030 began — from 12.3% to 7.2%
7.2%
Saudi careers in 269 professions
Next phase: 340,000 more jobs localized by 2028
340,000
Direct cash support to 10 million Saudis
SAR 229 billion delivered to families since 2017
10M+
70% of Aramco's supply chain — Made in Saudi
$280 billion to the economy, 200,000 jobs, 47 strategic products manufactured locally for the first time
70%
Initiative attribution: Royal decree (2013) appointing women to the Shoura Council; subsequent term renewals. Citizen benefit category: Service quality.