Women empowerment takes center stage in Saudi Arabia through training activities

In this undated photo, a group of Saudi women posing in front of a historic sight at Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 March 2021
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Women empowerment takes center stage in Saudi Arabia through training activities

  • Kingdom’s private and public sectors investing heavily to boost women’s skills

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s private and public sectors have been investing in training and mentoring programs to help boost women’s skills and careers. The idea of women’s empowerment has taken a center stage in most of the commercial and non-commercial entities in the Kingdom.

Past debates about whether women should join the workforce are over. The future is now.
Efforts are underway to support and empower female workers, so they can realize their true potential through training, reskilling and upskilling initiatives. According to the Cambridge dictionary, the term “upskilling” refers to the process of learning new skills or teaching workers new skills while “reskilling” is the process of learning new skills so workers can do a different job or instruct others on how to do a different job.

Saudi Arabia’s strong approach to women’s inclusivity in the workforce has provided many with the means to grow professionally in the private and government sectors. The new focus is on hiring those who fit the job description and can add to their skills. It is a critical strategy in the Kingdom’s ever-changing and growing employment landscape.
“I’ve always run initiatives to empower women whether that was in previous jobs or here in Saudi Arabia,” Danielle Atkins, the CMO at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, told Arab News.

“My team’s success is a direct reflection on my own success. For me to come to Saudi and inspire a new generation of female leaders — that’s my benchmark of success,” Atkins said.
The Kingdom is determined to groom its female leaders while bringing out the passion, energy and enthusiasm of its workers. Atkins said DGDA is on a similar mission.
One of her protégées went on to become the company’s community management associate director. Ahlam Al-Thunayan, a native of Diriyah, is working within DGDA’s Community Engagement Department and is proud to be part of an all-female staff.

I’ve always run initiatives to empower women whether that was in previous jobs or here in Saudi Arabia.

Danielle Atkins, CMO at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority

“Each team member is strong and opinionated, and they are hard workers even though most are fresh graduates,” Al-Thunayan told Arab News.
DGDA has made strides in fields such as hospitality, culture and heritage, and tourism. Al-Thunayan noted that the firm focuses on each new employee’s skill set, and places them in the department best suited for them. The ongoing practice of reskilling increases growth opportunities, boosts performance, and helps the company stay competitive.
More than 40 percent of Saudi government workers are female as DGDA is playing a key role in employing women. Over half of the marketing team consists of women as the firm is also creating even more new roles within its establishment for female workers. Those who show potential and work at a high pace are selected for leadership development programs that help further their careers while also putting a focus on moving employees from one department to the next to upskill their staff.
Atkins’ advice for trainees and young graduates still new to the workforce is to do something they are passionate about.

Each team member is strong and opinionated, and they are hard workers even though most are fresh graduates.

Ahlam Al-Thunayan

“At the end of the day, you’ll excel if you are passionate,” she said. “When you are young and have not had a lot of experience in the workplace, having the opportunity to work in different departments under different leadership is a really good way to develop your skills. It also helps you understand where is the best place to grow and develop going forward.”
Reskilling and upskilling initiatives continue to help female workers rise to prominence.
Thekra Althaalabi started off as a warehouse employee at Al-Nahdi Medical Co. where she was responsible for performing an array of duties. After eight years with the company, she is now a warehouse shift and supply chain manager leading an all-female team.
“Just like everyone, I started at the very bottom,” Althaalabi told Arab News.
“Throughout my time working here, the company ensured that I received different types of training in processing incoming stock, time management, documentation and inventory workshops. The training has benefited me greatly.”
Starting off with nine female employees in 2012, the medical distribution division at the warehouse has since increased 80 women in different divisions across the supply chain. Althaalabi said employees were encouraged to take part in the different training programs that were available. Many have been able to put their training into practice and rise in ranks.
“The common feeling is that we, as female employees, have grown more confident in our jobs,” she said. “We are empowered, we have developed our skills within our area of expertise and we are improving employee capabilities.”


New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

Updated 43 sec ago
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New initiative to plant 60m seeds for sustainability

  • Center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate
  • Efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has launched the Grow Impact initiative in Hafar Al-Batin governorate to encourage community participation in preserving and expanding vegetation cover, while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness.

The center’s CEO, Khaled Al-Abdulkader, outlined the initiative’s goal of dispersing 60 million seeds and cleaning floodplains throughout the governorate.

These efforts are part of the broader National Greening Season, which aims to increase green spaces and address environmental challenges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Al-Abdulkader described Grow Impact as a key step toward achieving sustainable development goals, restoring ecological balance, and enhancing biodiversity.

He said that the initiative also encourages environmental responsibility among individuals and communities.

The initiative aims to reduce waste in natural areas, protect plant and animal species from human activity, and combat desertification by inspiring communities to protect natural resources.

These goals align with Saudi Arabia’s vision for preserving the planet and its natural heritage, SPA reported.

The center continues its mission to develop and protect vegetation cover throughout the Kingdom, rehabilitating degraded areas, addressing violations, combating illegal logging, and overseeing rangelands, forests and national parks.


Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

Updated 48 min 42 sec ago
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Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Sunday 

  • Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods
  • Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers

RIYADH: The General Directorate of Civil Defense has forecast thunderstorms in several regions across the Kingdom until Sunday.

Makkah region is forecast light to moderate rain showers that could lead to flash floods, hail and dust-stirring winds, reported the Saudi Press Agency, while moderate to heavy rain is expected in Riyadh region.

Asir and Jazan regions will also be affected by moderate to heavy showers, while the Qassim, Eastern and Baha regions will experience moderate rain. The regions of Madinah and Najran can expect light rain.

The directorate has urged people to exercise caution, avoid areas prone to flash flooding, and refrain from swimming in flooded areas.

Members of the public should follow media channels to keep themselves updated on the latest conditions.

Autumn in Saudi Arabia is typically rainy, with rapid weather changes providing relief from the heat, according to the National Center for Meteorology.


Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

Updated 27 November 2024
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Shoura Council, EU officials discuss strengthening ties

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Vice Speaker Mishaal Al-Sulami met in Riyadh with an EU Political and Security Committee delegation, led by its chair Delphine Pronk, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The delegation included ambassadors from the 27 EU member states, the EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio, and the EU Ambassador to the Kingdom Christophe Farnaud.

Al-Sulami highlighted the Shoura Council’s oversight and legislative roles and emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening cooperation.

The delegates praised the Kingdom’s significant developments and the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.

The talks addressed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and the EU, ways to enhance collaboration between the Shoura Council and the European Parliament, and other topics of mutual interest.

Earlier, the EU delegation visited the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, where they discussed ways to counter extremism.

The delegation also visited the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh, where they discussed joint efforts to tackle global challenges.


Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi aid targets schools in Yemen, health in Somalia

RIYADH: The Saudi aid agency KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to implement the third phase of the Back to School project in Yemen.

The initiative will be executed in the Al-Mukha district of Taiz governorate, Thamud district in Hadramout governorate, and the governorates of Shabwah, Abyan and Lahj, benefiting about 6,000 individuals.

KSrelief’s Assistant Supervisor-General for Operations and Programs Ahmed Al-Baiz signed the agreement on the sidelines of the International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The agreement includes the provision of 60 fully equipped classrooms, the outfitting of 10 schools to create a suitable learning environment, and the distribution of 6,000 school uniforms and bags containing essential supplies.

Additionally, job opportunities will be provided to low-income families — previous beneficiaries of training and empowerment projects — who will produce the school bags and uniforms.

This initiative is part of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, led by KSrelief, to support the educational process, reduce dropout rates, and ensure a safer learning environment in Yemen.

In a separate agreement, KSrelief and the International Medical Corps signed a $1-million partnership to equip Garowe General Hospital in Somalia with dialysis machines and enhance its dialysis center. This project is expected to benefit 3,666 individuals.

The agreement was signed by KSrelief Supervisor-General Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and International Medical Corps President and CEO Nancy Aossey, also during the conference in Riyadh.

The initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts through KSrelief to support health care services for those in need in Somalia.


Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

People celebrate after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect in Sidon, Lebanon, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. AP
Updated 27 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire in Lebanon

  • Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made to achieve the ceasefire, foreign ministry statement said

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomes the ceasefire in Lebanon, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The Kingdom appreciates all international efforts made in this regard and hopes that this will lead to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability, and the safe return of the displaced to their homes,” the statement said. 

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah started on Wednesday morning after the two sides struck a deal brokered by the US and France.

The agreement ended the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah in years.