JEDDAH: More than 52 percent of women in Saudi Arabia believe that the perception that they are not equipped with the necessary skill sets to join the workforce in the Kingdom is the biggest myth hindering their success and employment. This is according to new research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network with more than 546 million members.
At the same time, more than 60 percent of Saudi women and recruiters agree there is great progress and efforts in the Kingdom toward achieving Saudi Arabia’s vision to increase women’s participation in the workforce from 22 to 30 percent by 2030.
The research is part of LinkedIn’s “Hear It From Me” (Esmaaha Menni) campaign which encourages women in Saudi to showcase their skills and build their professional brand on the platform in order to be found and hired for key roles across Saudi companies, fulfilling the country’s 2030 strategy goals.
According to the research, one in two (52 percent) recruiters believe that gender equality leads to higher productivity, while 40 percent believe the key benefit of hiring men and women equally is that it advances a creative culture, indicating a willingness to provide more opportunities for women.
However, while they are ready to join the workforce, 37 percent of Saudi women believe employers still need to do more to hire them in key roles and more than a third (38 percent) find that the hardest thing about getting a job in Saudi Arabia is finding the right opportunity to match their expectations.
Looking at LinkedIn’s insights, it was noted that more than 63 percent of Saudi women members have indicated completing bachelor’s degrees, exceeding other developed countries, such as the United States which comes in at 57 percent. On the other hand, more than 17 percent have completed a master’s degree, demonstrating the efforts Saudi women are taking in equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge and skill sets. The top three fields of study for women in Saudi are business management and administration, followed by computer science and health science.
There are currently various efforts from companies and entities in the Kingdom that support gender diversity. Among them are Takamol, the government company and partner of the Ministry of Labor and social development in Saudi Arabia which directly supports women’s employment in the Kingdom.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Yamani, CEO of Takamol said: “Since the establishment of Takamol Holding, the employment of women and increasing their participation in the workforce has been a crucial priority and one of the reasons behind the success of the firm’s initiatives and projects.
“In fact, women make up 33 percent of the total number of employees at Takamol. In line with the Saudi Vision 2030 which aims to increase women’s participation in the workforce, Takamol Holding launched several programs to empower women in the Saudi workforce including Wusool, Qurrah, Tojjar, which is an electronic platform, and Bahr.
“At Takamol Holding, we will continue, through our social development partnerships, to support all initiatives and projects aligned with the Vision, which can only be achieved through the mutual cooperation of both men and women who are able to fulfill our highest ambitions and contribute to a positive economy.”
In recent months, great progress has been made in the Kingdom specifically for women to obtain leading positions in the Saudi workforce. One great example is Dr. Hayat Sindi, who was one of the first female members to join the consultative assembly of Saudi Arabia. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the UN Secretary-General as well as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador.
Commenting on the role of society to help women enter the Kingdom’s workforce, Sindi said: “Indeed, a lot is being done in Saudi Arabia to empower women. Over the coming few years, it is crucial that we continue to take positive action to increase women’s role in major industries such as science and technology. This can be achieved through making careers in these industries more accessible and attractive to women.
“We also need to continue extending our support to more women professionals to help transform them into leaders in their respective fields through providing the courses and education needed. This will help unleash women’s potential faster and would be a win for society.”
Reem Mohamed, head of public sector for KSA at LinkedIn, said: “Our main mission is to connect everyone in the global workforce with economic opportunity. Today we have around 4,500 job opportunities available in Saudi Arabia on LinkedIn and so we are encouraging professionals to use our platform to build their professional brand and as a result become more visible to potential employers and recruiters.”
She concluded: “In this new era, creating a skilled and balanced workforce can only be achieved through collaborative actions from both sides. LinkedIn’s role is to bridge the gap between employers and professionals by providing a platform where these two audiences can easily find and connect with each other. For the women who are keen to further their careers, they need to ensure they are visible to recruiters by using platforms such as LinkedIn, so they can start to change this narrative, and the Kingdom can thrive by creating a more productive and creative workforce.”
Over 52% Saudi women reject myth about their lack of employment skills
Over 52% Saudi women reject myth about their lack of employment skills
- The research is part of LinkedIn’s “Hear It From Me” (Esmaaha Menni) campaign which encourages women in Saudi to showcase their skills and build their professional brand on the platform.
- More than 63 percent of Saudi women members have completed their bachelor’s degrees, exceeding other developed countries.
King Faisal Prize laureates honored at ceremony in Riyadh
- Awards, most prestigious in Muslim world, recognize outstanding achievements in science, medicine, Islamic studies, Arabic language and literature, service to Islam
RIYADH: The King Faisal Prize ceremony, held on Monday night under the patronage of King Salman in Riyadh, honored six distinguished laureates whose contributions have significantly advanced their fields and enriched humanity.
Held under the auspices of King Salman, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar handed over the awards to laureates at the event’s 47th edition.
Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Makkah’s governor, adviser to the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and chairman of the KFP board; several other princes; senior government officials; academics and scientists attended the ceremony at Prince Sultan’s Grand Hall at the Al-Faisaliah Center.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, thanked the dignitaries for attending and congratulated the laureates.
Scholars and experts in service to Islam, Islamic studies, medicine, and science gathered in the Saudi capital to celebrate excellence, knowledge, and service.
This year’s Service to Islam Prize was awarded jointly to two laureates from Saudi Arabia. The Tebyan Qur’an Project by Liajlehum Association for Serving People with Disabilities was recognized for developing the world’s first complete Qur’anic interpretation in sign language, making the sacred text accessible to the deaf community and promoting inclusivity in Islamic education.
The second laureate, Sami Abdullah Almaqlouth, was honored for his outstanding efforts in mapping and preserving historic Islamic sites through his work at the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information. His documentation supports cultural preservation and public awareness of Islamic heritage.
The Islamic Studies Prize, awarded for archaeological studies in the Arabian Peninsula, was also shared between two scholars. Prof. Saad Abdulaziz Alrashid, a leading Saudi archaeologist, was recognized for his foundational contributions to the study of Islamic inscriptions and archaeological heritage. His work has laid the groundwork for a new generation of scholars and brought international attention to the region’s historic richness.
Prof. Said Faiz Alsaid, another prominent Saudi figure in the field, was honored for his comparative studies of Arabian epigraphy and his contributions to decoding the ancient civilizations of the peninsula, bridging pre-Islamic history with Islamic archaeology.
The Arabic Language and Literature Prize on the topic of studies of identity in Arabic literature was withheld this year as the works nominated did not meet the standards of the selection committee.
The Medicine Prize, awarded for cellular therapy, went to Prof. Michel Sadelain, director of the Center for Cell Engineering at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
He was recognized for his pioneering work in CAR-T cell therapy, a breakthrough cancer treatment that involves genetically modifying immune cells to target and destroy tumors. His research has opened new possibilities in treating leukemia and other previously incurable diseases, marking a milestone in medical innovation.
The Science Prize, focusing on physics this year, was awarded to Prof. Sumio Iijima of Japan. Known as the father of carbon nanotubes, his 1991 discovery of these cylindrical nanostructures revolutionized the field of nanotechnology.
Carbon nanotubes are now used in cutting-edge applications across electronics, materials science, energy storage, and even biomedicine. His discovery laid the foundation for countless technological innovations in the 21st century.
The KFP was established in 1977, and was awarded for the first time in 1979 in three categories — service to Islam, Islamic studies, and Arabic language and literature. Two additional categories were introduced in 1981 — medicine and science. The first medicine prize was awarded in 1982, and in science two years later.
Since its inception in 1977 and its first awards in 1979, the KFP has recognized 301 laureates from 45 nationalities who have made outstanding contributions to Islam, knowledge, and humanity.
Each of the five prize categories is endowed with SR750,000 ($200,000), a 24-carat gold medal and a certificate signed by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal.
Saudi FM receives phone call from Iranian counterpart
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call on Monday from his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Saudi Press Agency reported.
During the call, the two officials discussed developments in the region and efforts being made with regard to them.
How preventive healthcare is quietly driving sustainability in Saudi Arabia
- “Saudi Arabia is taking bold steps to integrate health, wellness, and sustainability through a series of forward-looking initiatives aligned with Vision 2030,” said Zaher
RIYADH: As global conversations about sustainability expand, one sector is emerging as an unlikely player in the environmental movement: healthcare.
Experts say a growing shift toward prevention — rather than reaction — is not only improving personal health outcomes but reducing long-term resource strain on hospitals, supply chains, and the planet.
“Preventive care and longevity-focused medicine play a critical role in promoting environmental sustainability by reducing the overall burden on healthcare systems,” said Dr. Walid Zaher, a Saudi scientist and founder of Rewind.
“When individuals stay healthier for longer through early detection, lifestyle interventions, and personalized medicine, there is less need for resource-intensive treatments, hospitalizations, and pharmaceutical use — each of which carries a significant environmental footprint.”
According to Zaher, every reduction in high-intensity care translates to real-world savings in emissions, energy, and medical waste.
“Fewer medical interventions mean reduced energy consumption, lower emissions from healthcare facilities, and less medical waste,” he said. “By shifting focus from reactive to proactive care, we create a more efficient, sustainable healthcare model that benefits both people and the planet.”
Saudi Arabia is taking bold steps to integrate health, wellness, and sustainability through a series of forward-looking initiatives aligned with Vision 2030.
Dr. Walid Zaher, Rewind founder
Dr. Ksenia Butova, founder of Detki Family Clinic and Molodost Clinic, agrees. She believes early diagnostics and family-centered wellness are not only medically superior — they are environmentally responsible.
“The costliest treatments — both financially and environmentally — come when disease is already in full swing,” she said. “Hospital admissions, emergency interventions, aggressive medications. But most of it can be prevented.”
She emphasized that check-ups today are no longer just routine, but predictive. “Conducting in-depth check-ups designed to detect diseases at their earliest, pre-symptomatic stages — or rule them out entirely — helps alleviate the pressure on the healthcare system,” Butova said.
Among the pillars of preventive medicine are targeted vaccination programs and ongoing wellness tracking — both of which lower overall consumption of antibiotics, emergency care, and overprescribed supplements.
“Nutrition science, mental health support, sleep optimization, hormone and micronutrient balancing — these are not ‘luxuries,’” Butova said. “They’re the new foundation of long-term health.”
The Kingdom is also investing in long-term well-being through national policy. “Saudi Arabia is taking bold steps to integrate health, wellness, and sustainability through a series of forward-looking initiatives aligned with Vision 2030,” said Zaher. “From national events like Saudi National Sports Day to wellness-centered urban planning, the aim is to embed health and wellness into the fabric of daily life.”
On the technology front, digitization of care is helping clinics become more efficient and less wasteful.
“Clinics that operate paper-free are sustainable,” explained Butova. “Everything from scheduling and medical records to treatment plans and follow-ups becomes digital. Patients have easy access to their data, and doctors spend less time on bureaucracy and more time on meaningful care.”
She also noted that online consultations reduce traffic, emissions, and time lost to travel. “One Zoom consultation means one less commute through city traffic, one less plastic coffee cup, one less parking hassle,” she said. “It saves time, energy, and reduces our environmental footprint.”
Both experts also pointed to a growing trend: longevity tourism — the merging of high-end medical care with eco-conscious lifestyle services.
“Longevity tourism is increasingly becoming a natural extension of the broader eco-wellness movement — one that merges sustainable living with proactive health optimization,” said Zaher. “In regions like the Gulf, there’s a unique opportunity to position longevity tourism at the intersection of luxury wellness and sustainability.”
Butova confirmed the trend is already gaining traction. “People are flying to us from Russia and Kazakhstan for access to rare vaccines … From Europe, the UK, and the US, we welcome patients seeking comprehensive check-ups, personalized recovery programs, and cutting-edge aesthetic treatments,” she said.
Still, awareness remains a challenge. Both Zaher and Butova stressed the importance of education in shifting habits and norms.
“When we educate the public about the benefits of preventive health measures, sustainable diets, and active lifestyles, we can shift societal norms toward more eco-conscious behaviours,” Zaher said.
Butova added: “Public awareness is everything. Without awareness, even the most advanced medical system won’t work.”
Her clinics run webinars, host “health school” events for families, and engage with communities through live Q&As. “One of the most important missions of healthcare professionals is raising awareness about obesity and metabolic health … That shift alone changes lives and reduces wasteful, unconscious consumption,” she said.
At a time when sustainability often means sacrifice, these experts argue that in medicine, it is quite the opposite: the more proactive the system, the less wasteful it becomes.
Jeddah hosts Sea Nights cultural festival
- Celebrating Arab culture, the event offers a range of programs for families along Jeddah’s corniche, including traditional folkloric performances, children’s art, and acrobatic displays
JEDDAH: The Sea Nights festival began in Jeddah on Sunday with vibrant entertainment along the city’s waterfront.
Part of Jeddah Season, the festivities feature participation from several Arab countries until May 27, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Celebrating Arab culture, the event offers a range of programs for families along Jeddah’s corniche, including traditional folkloric performances, children’s art, and acrobatic displays.
Sea Nights will also feature immersive light and visual shows set to Arabic rhythms, creating a multisensory experience on Jeddah’s iconic waterfront.
The venue’s decor draws inspiration from across the Arab world, Africa and Asia.
Guests can relax at an on-site cafe or indoor lounge, with various family-friendly options.
The program also features sports competitions like football and beach volleyball, drawing large crowds of all ages eager to enjoy the season’s coastal activities.
The event highlights Jeddah’s growing reputation as a top regional destination for tourism and entertainment, showcasing the city’s role in expanding Saudi Arabia’s creative scene.
Campaigner speaks of journey from housewife to member of House of Lords
- Shaista Gohir spoke to an audience at the British Embassy about how she was inspired to represent her community
- Gohir: Women at home have a skill set that you can apply to anything, and if you’ve got drive and willpower, you can do anything
RIYADH: The founder of an anti-discrimination charity for Muslim women in the UK spoke at a Riyadh event about her journey from being a housewife to becoming a member of the House of Lords.
Baroness Shaista Gohir, OBE, spoke to an audience at the British Embassy about how she was inspired to represent her community and built a charity to help resolve the issues they face.
“When I was putting on the TV, you would only see Muslim men commenting on behalf of the British Muslim diaspora, whether it was Pakistanis or just Muslims generally,” she said, referencing a time when public discussions about Islam in the UK were intensifying after the 2005 London bombings.
She described how she contacted some of the most prominent Islamic societies in the country and was “pretty much rejected by them.”
Not put off by the rejection, Gohir went on to found her own organization — the Muslim Women’s Network.
“I think they probably thought, I’m a housewife at home, what can she contribute? And I think that’s another lesson; I think a lot of people underestimate women.
“If someone’s a CEO or a manager or a director, they might think, wow, she did something brilliant, but women at home have a skill set that you can apply that to anything, and if you’ve got drive and willpower, you can do anything.”
The Muslim Women’s Network carries out research and advocacy work, aiming to tackle anti-Muslim discrimination in the household and workplace.
It offers faith-sensitive counselling services and a helpline, conducts workshops, and guides policy.
“Everything we do is looking at how Muslim women are discriminated against in their families, in their communities and in wider society,” she said.
Gohir spoke about how she has managed to influence government policy from the inside after being appointed a member of the House of Lords in 2022.
“In terms of policy influencing, I would say it’s a lot easier now that I’m in the House of Lords.
“From the outside, you might write a letter, you might not get a response. You might get a response six months later.
“Now it’s a little bit easier because the minister’s probably thinking, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to see her in the corridors, she wrote to me last week, I better reply to her.’ So I get my responses a lot faster.”
The women’s rights campaigner believes that faith-based discrimination is currently underreported in the British legal system.
This, she said, is partly due to an issue with how the police record crimes — if a discriminatory crime is believed to have been race-based, the police may not record it as faith-based.
“I hope that the law will change,” she said, explaining that one of her aims with the Muslim Women’s Network is to change the law to include “dual” reporting that will allow discrimination to be recorded as both race- and faith-based.
