Saudi women now constitute more than 43% of the overall holders of middle and top administrative positions, according to a recent report, reflecting a significant shift toward women empowerment in the kingdom.

Women’s Growing Influence in Business

The report, compiled by the National Observatory for Women at King Saud University, highlighted that Saudi women own 45% of the total commercial registers in the kingdom, marking their growing influence in the business sector.

Telecommunications and IT: A Surge in Female Participation

Another key area where Saudi women have made significant strides is the telecommunications and information technology sector. Female participation in this sector increased from 7% in 2018 to 35% last year, according to the report shared by Saudi newspaper Okaz.

Government Initiatives for Women Empowerment

Saudi Arabia has taken major steps in recent years to empower women across various sectors. Women have been appointed to key leadership roles, reflecting the kingdom’s commitment to gender equality. Notably, two Saudi women ambassadors were sworn in by King Salman bin Abdulaziz last year, raising the number of women ambassadors in the kingdom to six.

First Female Saudi Ambassador to the US

In 2019, Princess Reema bint Bandar was appointed as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, marking a historic moment as the first woman to hold this position.

Historic Reforms Supporting Women

In 2018, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving, a landmark reform that empowered women with greater freedom of movement. Additionally, Saudi women are now allowed to travel without the need for male guardian approval and can apply for passports independently, reflecting a continued push toward easing long-standing controls on women.

Looking Ahead: Continued Empowerment

These reforms are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030, which emphasizes gender equality and aims to create a more inclusive and dynamic workforce by empowering women in leadership roles.