Empowerment efforts of Kingdom’s women are highlighted at UN meeting

Dr. Maimoonah Khalil Al-Khalil, secretary general of the Saudi Family Affairs Council, and the Saudi Arabia delegation at the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York.​​​​​​​ (UN)
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  • Maimoonah Al-Khalil speaks of devastating impact of the war in Gaza 

NEW YORK: The empowerment efforts of women in Saudi Arabia and work to improve female economic participation levels in the Kingdom were highlighted at the UN on Thursday.

Maimoonah Al-Khalil, secretary-general of the Saudi Family Affairs Council, spoke in New York at the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women about the Kingdom’s efforts to ensure equal opportunities for females.

She said empowering women was a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and that the Kingdom’s leadership recognized that elevating women’s roles was pivotal to realizing its sustainable development and prosperity goals.

Al-Khalil praised the Saudi government for its policies and measures to continue women’s development across all sectors of society.

She said: “My government has pursued the development of comprehensive national plans aimed at advancing women and ensuring their full and effective participation in economic activities.

“Among the most notable achievements is the establishment of social support and assistance programs, marking a significant paradigm shift in our national efforts toward directing government support to those most deserving.

“Notably, our country’s social protection index surged from 61.34 percent in 2019 to 82.54 percent in 2023, securing a consecutive second-place ranking among G20 nations.”

She added that the Kingdom had risen 17 places in the World Giving Index and 16 places in the helping a stranger index.

Al-Khalil said that Saudi Arabia’s efforts were being recognized at a global level.

“The World Bank has praised the Kingdom as the first country in the Middle East to establish a social safety net aimed at activating and empowering all segments of society, while fostering entrepreneurial and productive initiatives,” she added.

Al-Khalil also highlighted the devastating impact of the war in Gaza on women and children in Palestine.

She said: “We reiterate the stance of my country in condemning the humanitarian violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces in the Gaza Strip. These violations contravene international law and international humanitarian law, with profound repercussions affecting women and children in Palestine.

“We emphasize the urgent need to halt hostilities and promptly institute a comprehensive ceasefire to protect Palestinian civilians, particularly women and children, and to lift all restrictions obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.”