Saudi women, who cannot drive in their own country, will be granted the right to become members in their country's 150-member consultative or Shura council, an advisory body which has limited powers in government and legislation. The position is by royal appointment only. They will also be allowed to nominate themselves and vote in municipal council elections.

Iman AlQhatani breaks the news following an announcement made by Saudi monarch King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz.

@ImaQh: Women will be granted the right to be a member in the shoura council from next year #kingshora #saudi

She further explains:

@ImaQh: Da royal orders #ShoraWomen means that women have 2 wait 2 ys 2 be appointed in the council & 4 ys 2 participate in the municipal election

The development, which takes effect beginning next year, was welcomed with joy by netizens.

Waheeb Aldakel shares this photograph of Saudi women congratulating themselves after being given the go ahead to join the Shura Council in their country

Waheeb Aldakel shares this photograph of Saudi women greeting each other outside the Shura Council.

Yazeed Al Mogren responds:

Saudi Mai Al Shareef pledges:

The decision was also met with criticism towards Saudi Arabia's policies towards women, and men for that matter.

Saudi Ahmed Al Omran laments:

@ahmed: Shoura Council is still unelected, and municipal councils are powerless, but women participation is an important progress. #Saudi #KingShora

Lou-kay quips:

@lou_kay: I really fail to admire a right that is taken away, and then repackaged back as a gift.. #KingShora #SaudiArabia

And Palestinian Yousef Munayyer adds:

@YousefMunayyer: So Saudi Arabia finally made it to the beginning to last century?

It is indeed big victory to Saudi women but the question on many netizen's minds remains:

@Zeinobia: Congratulations to the Saudi women for the vote right but who will drive them to electoral committees