SaudiArabia has long been one of the most conservative countries in theworld. Changes to society have always come slowly or not at all, butthings 46. .In September 2011, Saudi Arabia’sKing Abdullah announced that women would be able to vote in futureelections. They will also be able to serve on the Shura Council,which advices the king on important decisions. The announcement was amassive step forward for women’srights in Saudi Arabia, a country where women are even forbidden 47. driving.

Although many of thecountry’simportant religious leaders were not happy with the decision, KingAbdulah has been trying to make women more equal for many years.Indeed, many people feel that he 48. to do more. Receiving theright to vote is important, but Saudi Arabia’swomen’srights campaigners still have a lot to fight for. 49. their age,

everywoman in the country is required to have a male guardian.They are also unable to get a job, travel

overseas,open a bank account, or receive higher education without theirguardian’sapproval. Women may be better off than they 50. , but there’sstill a long way to go.