King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has announced in an annual address to the Shura Council that women will be able to vote in the next local elections.<br /><br />While it will take four more years before women cast their first votes, activists applauded Saudi Arabia's recognition of women's political rights.<br /><br />Women in the kingdom are not allowed to drive and are barred from travelling, working or having medical operations without the permission of a male relative.<br /><br />Despite these challenges, some people are optimistic that the ruling does reflect changing views on women in Saudi society.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Caroline Malone reports.
