Story highlights For the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, women can begin registering to vote this week

Women will be able to vote and run in elections

Critics have described the change as anywhere from modest to inconsequential

(CNN) For the first time in the history of Saudi Arabia, women can begin registering to vote this week.

According to local media, women will be able to vote and run in elections held in December of this year, marking a step forward for proponents of women's rights in a country that has received heavy criticism for its treatment of women.

"This is something new to women," an unidentified woman told al Ekhbariya, Saudi state television. "I am pretty sure women will have different opinions and thoughts. I am very happy."

Official voter registration begins August 22, and candidate registration begins on August 30, according to a Saudi government website. Both days will mark firsts for women in Saudi Arabia gearing up to participate in elections in December. Women will only participate in elections at the municipal level.

The December election will be the first opportunity for women to vote since a 2011 order by the now deceased King Abdullah that granted women some opportunities for political participation. According to the State Department , Abdullah issued a royal decree in 2013 mandating the Consultative Council, a royally appointed body that advises the King, be at least 20% women.

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