Saudi Arabia has been elected to a 2018 - 2022 term on United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, a UN agency which is exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

And this is a country where women have to take permission from their guardian if they have to study, work, travel or marry. In fact, to access certain types of healthcare also they need a man to accompany them. FYI, women are banned from driving cars too.

Also read: Here is why Saudi Arabia is a pro at passing anti-women rulings

The election happened in a secret vote during the UN's Economic and Social Council, according to UN Watch- a non-governmental body that monitors the United Nations.

"Electing Saudi Arabia to protect women's rights is like making an arsonist into the town fire chief," tweeted Executive Director Hillel Neuer.

This is not the first time United Nations has taken such an ironical decision. The organisation came under fire for giving Saudi Arabia a key human rights role. Saudi Arabia's ambassador at the UN was was elected as chair of a panel of independent experts on the UN Human Rights Council.

Also read: Indian migrant gets jailed in Saudi Arabia after making a tearful video about terrible work conditions

The gulf nation is considered to have "the worst record in the world" on freedoms for women, minorities and dissidents. Saudi Arabia consistently ranks among the "worst of the worst" in Freedom House's annual survey of political and civil rights.