Geneva, Switzerland – Saudi Arabia played up its efforts to empower women and promote their participation in the country’s economic development during the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The event was organized by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva in partnership with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Taking part in the session, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Iman bint Habas Al-Mutairi, emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in driving economic transformation. The vision, aligned with the directives of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, aims to enhance women’s participation in various fields and at all levels across the Kingdom.
According to Al-Mutairi, women constituted 41 percent of those occupying high-and-middle-level positions in the Saudi business sector in the previous year. Furthermore, over 9,000 Saudi female leaders have registered in the National Platform for Saudi Women Leaders (Qiyadyat), a platform aimed at supporting women and documenting their success stories.
The event was jointly sponsored by the permanent missions of Denmark and Nigeria to the United Nations. Several distinguished speakers, including CEDAW member Nicole Emilen, Ambassador Tine MÙ‘rch Smith of Norway, CEDAW Vice Chair Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, and UN Women representative Christine Arab, participated in the event. The session was moderated by Lama Ghazzawi, a member of the Saudi Human Rights Commission.