A day of celebration for the strong and powerful women of the Gulf

Anticipating the post-oil future, the Gulf states have revolutionized their diplomatic strategy in recent years, placing a greater emphasis on women’s empowerment both domestically and internationally. On Friday, International Women’s Day, the Gulf Cooperation Council hosted an inaugural ceremony at its general secretariat in Riyadh to celebrate the achievements of Gulf women and underscore their importance in the development of the six GCC states.

I attended the event, which brought together prominent Gulf women in the fields of diplomacy, economy, security, and science. Ambitious female employees at the general secretariat were the driving force behind this initiative. When the GCC was established in 1981, Fawzia Al-Khajah was the only female employee at its headquarters. There are now about 300, about 30 percent of the workforce.

Before the ceremony, Deemah AlYahya from Saudi Arabia, secretary-general of the Digital Cooperation Organisation, and Tahani AlTerkait from Kuwait, an adviser to GCC secretary-general Jassim Al-Budaiwi, shared their experiences at a workshop for female GCC employees. After that I had a discussion with Al-Budaiwi about initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s status in the workforce and in wider society.

He emphasized the GCC’s commitment to advancing women’s inclusion. “Each GCC country has its own plans, own history and own story in regard to women’s empowerment. However, one common objective for all the GCC states is encouraging and increasing women’s participation in various fields,” he told me.

The GCC has set its goals for female empowerment on three pillars: strong government commitment, effective collaboration among GCC states, and comprehensive GCC policy transcending national borders. The organization has already taken significant steps in promoting women’s integration.

In 2021, the GCC established its first Permanent Women’s Committee, with representatives from the six member states. This committee meets every two years to offer recommendations to GCC governments and coordinate efforts on issues related to women’s empowerment and sex equality. The Gulf states will also host an event focused on women’s empowerment in the GCC during the Commission on the Status of Women next week in New York.

With International Women’s Day behind us for another year, we should continue to recognize the progress made in expanding opportunities for women in the GCC states.

Sinem Cengiz

With International Women’s Day behind us for another year, we should continue to recognize the progress made in expanding opportunities for women in the Gulf, acknowledging their achievements across social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. Many pioneering women in the Gulf states have played a role. On social media, the GCC has already published inspiring stories about women from each member state. Through their achievements, they are exerting a positive influence on society and moving beyond the traditional mindsets that have shaped women’s roles in the Gulf states for decades.

Although the journey toward women’s inclusion in the region has faced challenges and progress has sometimes been slow, in recent years there have been determined strides, driven by factors including economic development, government policies, and social change. There is a growing awareness of women’s participation, supported by both societal and governmental initiatives. The GCC governments are rapidly catching up with other nations: you can feel the changes that have been introduced over the past few years. Meeting ambitious women reinforces my belief that their increased presence in the diplomatic, economic and security fields will lead to a more sustainable and prosperous state for current and future generations. Studies have shown that women’s inclusion in these key areas can add varied perspectives and novel ways of understanding critical issues.

Anticipating the post-oil future, the Gulf states have revolutionized their diplomatic strategy in recent years, placing a greater emphasis on women’s empowerment both domestically and internationally. The inclusion of women is particularly important in male-dominated fields, and there has been immense progress in this. The presence and level of activity of women is integral to the success of the different visions of the GCC states: they are well aware that the success of their endeavors depends on how they invest in all members of society.

Reflecting on Friday’s event, AlTerkait said it was more than just a celebration: it was an opportunity to spotlight the critical role played by women in the GCC. She said the event was a form of soft diplomacy, showcasing the increasing involvement of Gulf women in negotiations and decision-making roles.

Celebrating this important day with Gulf women in Riyadh was impressive. Women’s participation is increasing considerably, and there have been notable gains in women’s rights. But there are still challenges to overcome, and more needs to be done. May all women worldwide strive to achieve their goals and contribute to the betterment of their societies.

• Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz