The election was made bysecret vote duringthe UN Economic and Social Council. It has already been slammed byUN Watch, the non-governmental organization that monitors UN activity.
Hiller Neuer, the executive director ofthe organization, called the decision toadd the Gulf nation tothe Women's Rights Commision "absurd."
"Electing Saudi Arabia toprotect women's rights is likemaking an arsonist intothe town fire chief," he said.
Women inSaudi Arabia are only allowed inthe public if accompanied bya male protector: a husband, a brother, a father, a son or uncle. They must get permission fromtheir protector fortravel, marriage and divorce, toreceive education, open a bank account or undergo certain medical procedures.
Women were given the right tovote inSaudi Arabia only in2015, and they are still legally forbidden fromdriving a car arguably the hottest topic forSaudi women's rights activists.
Some women reportedly argue that their male protectors are their right, rather thana burden, and prefer tomaintain the status quo. In a 2010 interview withthe New York Times, Noura Abdulrahman, a female employee ofthe Saudi Ministry ofEducation, defended male guardianship asproviding protection and love.
"The image inthe West is that we are dominated bymen, butthey always forget the aspect oflove. People who aren't familiar withShariah often have the wrong idea. If you want stability and safety inyour life, if you want a husband who takes care ofyou, you won't find it exceptin Islam," she said.
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