Saudi Shoura member discloses move to raise women’s representation in diplomatic positions

RIYADH: Shoura member Dr. Mona Al-Mushait recently disclosed that a recommendation has been submitted to the council to raise the representation of women in foreign leadership positions.
This came during a meeting organized by the King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) on “The role of women in achieving the objectives of Vision 2030.”
“As Saudi women, we must help the political leadership achieve the vision’s goal of increasing our participation in the labor market and building the country,” Al-Mushait said.
She added that “we should take advantage of this opportunity to put ourselves at the forefront, forgetting all obstacles that some may pose to achieving that goal.”
Dr. Tadhur Al-Rammah, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, stressed that Vision 2030 was concerned with Saudi women and their leading role in social and economic life.
“Saudi women have entered the labor market through job opportunities provided them in accordance with an appropriate work environment,” he added.
Al-Rammah said that the ministry seeks to find new employment sectors that serve women by developing, qualifying and supporting woman cadres to meet the needs of the labor market in a work environment that preserves their privacy and rights.
Earlier this month, the Kingdom stressed its willingness at the UN to cooperate in any international effort aimed at empowering women in any field, eradicating discrimination and violence against them, and improving their cultural, economic and health care in accordance with the principles of Islamic Shariah.
Ahlam Yankssar, first secretary at the Kingdom’s permanent mission to the UN, said: “The Kingdom believes that women are an important factor in the workforce and that empowering them socially, economically, and politically, providing them with a safe environment and services facilitating their national duties, and ensuring they receive their complete rights in different fields, will help drive the development process to achieve Vision 2030.”
Yankssar made these remarks during a general debate on women’s advancement at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.