Saudi women achievements on the International Women's Day (IWD). Notable progress in the Kingdom on the status of women has been achieved in different areas; this includes positive change in health care, education choices, and employment opportunities for women. The International Women's Day (IWD), which is marked on March 8 every year, celebrates and promotes women’s equality and development. In Saudi Arabia, change is definitely taking place, the past few years have been remarkably successful for women in the Kingdom. In September 2011, King Abdullah announced that women would be granted the right to participate in AlShoura Councel, and to both vote and stand for election. In January 2013, King Abdullah appointed 30 women to the consultative Shoura. In December 2015, women were elected to local government offices for the first time in Saudi Arabia and it was also the first time they had the right to vote.
Saudi Arabia is tiptoeing on women progress, but the road is still long to go. In the International Women’s Day, equality for women is definitely progress for all. Not engaging women in the development process of the country will have negative economical social and political impact on the Kingdom, despite the supposed constraints of traditions and social customs, female figures have made remarkable contributions to the rise of Saudi women in different fields.
In the International Women’s Day, the Permeant Saudi Mission to the UN would like highlights some of the most recent Saudi women achievements:
• Mona AlMunajjed has worked over 15 years with various UN agencies. In recognition of her efforts, she has received the United Nations 21 Commendation Award.
• Haifaa Al Mansour popular worldwide for directing the movie ‘Wadjda’ which was Saudi Arabia’s first ever-official entry for the Oscars.
• Bayan Mahmoud Al Zahran became the country’s first Saudi female practicing lawyer and the following year she opened the country’s first ever all-female practice.
• Hayat Sindi is recognized as one of the most pioneering women in science across the Middle East. For her work in diagnostics and biotechnology she has received accolades from all over the world.
• Somayya Jabarti is the first female editor-in-chief of Saudi Gazette in 2014, and she became the first woman ever to take control of one of Saudi Arabia’s newspapers.
• Raha Moharrak Moharrak became the first Saudi woman to conquer Mount Everest. She is also the youngest Arab to achieve the feat. Her list of achievements also includes scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Vinson, Mount Elbrus and various other notable peaks.
• Thoraya Obaid Obaid served as the executive director of the United National Population Fund for 10 years and as an under-secretary general of the United Nations. After her tenure, she went on to chair WLP’s board of directors and become a member of the Shoura Council. In her work with different governmental authorities, she has managed to establish many programmes for the empowerment of women, as a recognition for her efforts Thoraya Obaid receives the UN Population Award from Deputy in 2015.
