10 Things You Need To Know About Saudi Women

KSA in the UK
Aug 24, 2017 · 5 min read
  1. Saudi women are strong

Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud is one of the strongest advocates in Saudi Arabia — a businesswoman, a philanthropist and an influential political voice.

Princess Reema took over the running of Harvey Nichols Riyadh, introducing female employees for the first time. She made it possible for women to work by offering travel stipends and daycare facilities, as well as training and education in financial planning and legal rights.

She is one of the founding members of Zahra, a prominent Saudi breast cancer association, which helps women in Saudi Arabia who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and increases the survival rates.

She has also been appointed as Vice President of Women’s Affairs of the General Authority of Sports, where her role is to increase women’s participation in sport in the country.

2. Saudi women are CEOs

Lubna Olayan is CEO of the Olayan Financing Company, putting her in charge of over 40 companies, one of the largest investors in the Saudi and regional stock markets, and worth some $10 billion. She became the first woman in Saudi Arabia to work for her father’s business in 1983, and in 2016 she was listed by Forbes as the 65th most powerful woman in the world.

“I am a proponent of a true meritocracy that sees the right person in the right position for the right reasons, regardless of gender”.

3. Saudi women are pioneering

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid became the first Saudi woman to receive a government scholarship to study at an American. She was the first Saudi woman to head a United Nations agency, when she was appointed Head of the United Nations Population Fund in January 2001.

She also recieved several awards including one from the UN Population Fund, a medal from the Union Theological Seminary (the first Muslim woman to do so) and she was the first woman named Person of the Year by the late King Abdullah.

4. Saudi women are politicians

In August 2017 three women were appointed to the newly formed Family Affairs Council — Princess Lulwa Al Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, Lana Saeed, and Raja Bahadhiq.

Princess Lulwa, a member is a leading figure in Saudi Arabia. After completing her studies abroad, the princess returned to the kingdom and has held several significant posts, such as on the board of the King Faisal charity organization.

Lana Saeed, is a social work and services professor at the King Saood University. She has previously been the assistant dean of the social services department at the University.

Raja Bahadhiq, is an MA student who is an associate instructor at Montessori curriculum schools in Riyadh.

Women always hold at least 20% of the 150 searts in the Shura council.

5. Saudi women are entrepreneurs

Safiah Alaquil is a young Saudi fashion designer who set up her own brand, ‘Badawiah’, inspired from cultures and traditions from different countries. She uses the traditional craftsmanship of Saudi Arabia and combines it with modern and ethnic fashion. With this project she also aims to support children in need using half of the profits earned.

Today, female-owned businesses in Saudi Arabia are operating in a wide variety of fields such as fashion, jewelry, interior design, photography, and beauty, as well as professional services such as consulting, marketing, public relations, event management and education.

6. Saudi women are educated

In March 2017 Dr. Dalal Moheealdin Namnaqani became the first Saudi woman to be appointed dean of a University, when she was appointed Dean of Taif University College of Medicine. This was soon followed by the appointment of Dr. Sumaya Bint Sulaiman Al Sulaiman as Dean of the College of Design at the Imam Abdul Rahman Bin Faysal University.

Saudi female university students outnumber men!

7. Saudi women are scientists

Dr Hayat Sindi is an award-winning Saudi medical scientist, famous for making major contributions to medical testing and biotechnology. She was ranked as the 19th most influential Arab in the world, as well as the 9th most influential Arab woman, and named as one of the 150 Woman who Shake the World by The Daily Beast.

She was the first Saudi woman to be accepted at Cambridge University in the field of biotechnology, and the first woman from the Gulf to complete a doctorate in the field. She co-founded a group at Harvard to develop a new technique to diagnose liver disease and replace costly lab tests.

8. Saudi women are funny

Dr Maisah Sobaihi is one of the first Saudi female comedians, and a widely respected voice for Saudi women across the globe.

She was the first Saudi to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013 and has performed her play “Head Over Heels in Saudi Arabia” in the US, UK and Saudi Arabia.

She has co-hosted a series focused on Muslim women, serving as a Fulbright scholar at New York University, creating a stronger dialogue and understanding of Middle Eastern affairs in the West.

9. Saudi women are breaking records

Mariam Saleh Binladen, a dentist from Saudi Arabia, has become the first ever swimmer to cross Dubai Creek and Dubai Water Canal. She also set a new record in 2016 as the first woman to officially swim 101 miles of the source of the River Thames in the United Kingdom.

Mariam is just the third person and first woman in recent history to have successfully completed the 100+ mile open-water swimming feat.

“I am thrilled and very proud to be the first woman to swim 101 miles of the Thames. I wanted to show that a young woman from Saudi Arabia can achieve a lifelong ambition”

10. Saudi women are incredible

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KSA in the UK

Written by

We are expat Saudis living, working, learning and enjoying the United Kingdom. We’ve created a common place to share stuff about our two countries.

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