KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY: What is the role of the government and private sectors in tackling obstacles faced by women in leadership positions? How will greater women’s participation contribute to the global economy?
These were key questions posed at the Top CEO Conference held in King Abdullah Economic City on Tuesday.
Women’s participation in the global economy “could increase the world’s GDP (gross domestic product) by up to $28 trillion by the year 2050,” said Dr. Kerry Healey, president of Babson College, Massachusetts.
Khalid Abdullah Janahi — group CEO of the Dar Al-Maal Al-Islami Trust (DMI Trust), who has 30 years of experience in banking and financial services — said: “If women were given the opportunity to run global economies, they would do much better than most men.”
Some speakers suggested the imposition of company gender quotas to boost the number of women in senior posts.
“I see quotas as a part of the solution, not the only one,” said Mohammed Hassan Ali Abudawood, president of the M. Abudawood Group.
“I’m with the quota system because we have a very high rate of women’s unemployment, not only in the Kingdom but around the world.”
Abudawood estimated the rate of Saudi women’s unemployment at about 26 percent. “In order to solve this problem, we should start doing a few things, including the quota system, where we force companies to hire a specific number of women employees… We can start with small numbers and make it pro-rata according to the activity of those companies.”
But hiring women in positions where they have to deal with dangerous operations can be difficult, he said.
Improving the economic conditions for women will eventually make them prosper and get better training, education and lifestyle instead of staying at home unemployed, he added.
Some 1,400 doctors cannot find jobs after graduating from medical school, said Abudawood.
“Most of them are women. We have to find jobs for them, and the way to do that is to go to hospitals and impose quotas. They have to train them and eventually hire them, even if the government subsidizes the process, which is available right now, but it needs a push.”
The Kingdom is taking steps to entrust women in leading positions. In one week in February, three Saudi women were appointed to top jobs in the male-dominated financial sector.
Sarah Al-Suhaimi was appointed chair of the Saudi stock exchange (Tadawul); Rania Nashar became CEO of Samba Financial Group; and Latifa Al-Sabhan was appointed chief financial officer of Arab National Bank (ANB).
Women in leadership positions: Are quotas the answer?
Women in leadership positions: Are quotas the answer?
GCC chief receives newly appointed Omani ambassador to Saudi Arabia
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi received Sayyid Najib bin Hilal Al-Busaidi, Oman’s newly appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Albudaiwi congratulated Al-Busaidi on his appointment and wished him success in his duties.
The parties discussed various topics and explored ways to enhance bilateral efforts toward “greater integration, solidarity, and interconnectedness.”
They also looked at the latest developments in regional and international arenas.
Riyadh hospital advances breast tumor diagnosis
- The new CEM-guided approach allows immediate, accurate tissue sampling during the same session, eliminating the need for additional appointments
RIYADH: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh has implemented an advanced interventional technique to diagnose breast tumors that conventional imaging cannot detect.
It enables physicians to obtain precise biopsy samples during the same visit, accelerating diagnosis and allowing earlier treatment, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The shift addresses recent cases where certain breast abnormalities were only visible through contrast-enhanced imaging, leading the hospital to adopt contrast-enhanced mammography as a precise clinical tool.
Previously, the standard protocol required a separate MRI-guided biopsy after initial imaging, often resulting in redundant procedures, greater patient burden, higher costs and treatment delays.
In contrast, the new CEM-guided approach allows immediate, accurate tissue sampling during the same session, eliminating the need for additional appointments.
Saudi crown prince receives phone call from Iraqi PM
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Tuesday.
During the call, they reviewed relations between their countries and ways to strengthen them in various fields, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Bangladeshi leader sends letter to Saudi crown prince about bilateral relations
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a letter on Tuesday from the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus.
The Bangladeshi ambassador to the Kingdom, Delwar Hossain, presented the letter, which addressed relations between Riyadh and Dhaka, to Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji.
During their meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday, the envoy and the deputy minister discussed ways to strengthen ties between their countries in various sectors.
Saudi Arabia showcases heritage, digital innovation at Jusoor expo in Kosovo
- Exhibition’s introductory section showcases Al-Masmak Fort and Saudi coffee, highlighting authentic Saudi heritage and hospitality
- Visitors received detailed information about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah
RIYADH: The sixth Jusoor exhibition, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs at Skanderbeg Square in Pristina, Kosovo, is attracting a large number of visitors daily.
The exhibition’s introductory section showcases Al-Masmak Fort and Saudi coffee, highlighting authentic Saudi heritage and hospitality.
The technology pavilion at the 10-day event has attracted significant interest for its modern digital innovations highlighting the Kingdom’s technical progress, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
It includes several ministry-developed applications, notably the Correct Citation app, which features a smart keyboard that accurately integrates Qur’anic verses and Prophetic hadiths, and allows them to be shared as text or images.
The 3D Hajj and Umrah app offers a virtual experience simulating pilgrimage rituals in multiple languages, while the Rushd app provides a comprehensive digital library with books and Islamic content in 51 languages.
Attendees praised the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Islam and promoting moderation, the SPA reported.
Visitors also received detailed information about the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Program for Hajj and Umrah, and its role in serving pilgrims.
Additionally, VR technology allows visitors to explore rare photos of Makkah and historic mosques, offering an engaging interactive experience of the Kingdom’s history and holy sites.
The ministry recently concluded the fifth Jusoor exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, which welcomed more than 1.25 million visitors from diverse backgrounds.
The 10-day exhibition at Istiqlal Mosque was one of the largest cultural and advocacy events organized by the ministry outside the Kingdom.
Saudi officials also distributed more than 150,000 copies of Qur’an, printed and translated into Indonesian by the King Fahd Qur’an Printing Complex in Madinah.
Indonesian visitors praised the exhibition for its blend of spiritual and cultural themes, strong organization, and diverse, informative content.
