In the latest sign that Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify its workforce, two women have been appointed to senior positions in government.

According to a royal decree issued on Sunday, Shihana Al Azzaz has been named the first female Deputy Secretary General of the Saudi Cabinet. Previously the general counsel at the Public Investment Fund, Al Azzaz was one of the first women licensed to practice law in Saudi Arabia.

Princess Haifa bint Mohammad Al Saud has been appointed deputy minister of tourism. As assistant minister of tourism, she was responsible for implementing the kingdom's tourism strategy, one of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's economic diversification goals.

As part of the government's plan to get more Saudis working in the private sector, Saudi Arabia has gradually loosened restrictions on women. Recently, authorities have lifted a ban on female drivers and allowed them to travel without the permission of a male guardian. Last week's data showed that female unemployment is approximately four times higher than male unemployment.

Sheila Al Rowaily, a former Saudi Aramco executive, was appointed as the first female member of the central bank's board in June. A number of other women hold leadership positions in the kingdom, including Sarah Al Suhaimi, chairwoman of the Saudi Arabian stock exchange, and Rania Nashar, compliance and governance chief at the Public Investment Fund.