World

Saudi women making great strides in education, employment, health: GASTAT

Saudi women have made significant strides in employment, education, health, technology, and art, according to the latest report by the Kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

In the Saudi Women’s Report 2022, issued on Wednesday, the GASTAT collected data from surveys carried out across Saudi Arabia of women aged 15 and above.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The Kingdom has placed the empowerment of women – through labor force participation, education, and improved quality of life – at the forefront of its Vision 2030 economic reform plan.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly said that “empowering women and youth remain two key pillars to achieving sustainable growth.”

In a speech during Saudi Arabia G20 Presidency in 2020, King Salman bin Abdulaziz said: “Women are a main source of development for any society. Hence, without empowered women, it is almost impossible to implement any societal reforms. Throughout history, women have proven their prominent and effective role in driving change and decision-making.”

Women’s employment

One of Saudi Arabia’s main Vision 2030 goals was increasing women’s participation in the labor force market.

In recent years, Saudi women have been provided with opportunities to engage in various public and private sectors, including law and the military industry, which were previously dominated by men.

A Saudi woman works inside the first all-female call centre in the kingdom's security sector, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia August 29, 2017. (File photo: Reuters)

New jobs were also created to give women leading roles in the General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque as assistant president, female undersecretaries to the president, and assistant undersecretaries in various developmental disciplines.

According to the report, the unemployment rate among Saudi women dropped, especially in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to the previous years.

The unemployment rate among Saudi women now stands at 15.4 percent.

The ratio of employed Saudi women to the population rose to 30.4 percent in 2022, compared to 27.6 percent in 2021.

Meanwhile, the report said women’s participation in the labor market was 36 percent in Q4 of 2022, up slightly from 35.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021.

The GASTAT report also noted that the number of Saudi women in the private sector is higher than those working in the public sector – a result of more employment opportunities opening up in various fields over the years.

Education

Education is an essential part of Vision 2030’s goal of empowering women and encouraging their participation in the labor market, according to GASTAT.

Saudi women make up 49.99 percent of the total number of higher education students, including Bachelor, Master, and PhD degrees.

Saudi women apply for a job during Glowork Career Fair 2017 for Saudi women employments held at a hotel in the Saudi capital Riyadh, on September 28, 2017. (File photo: AFP)

GASTAT reported that female graduates were listed across all disciplines in higher education. Business, management, and law had the highest number of female graduates, according to the report, followed by arts and humanities.

Female instructors at the Ministry of Education also make up 51.8 percent of the total number of instructors.

Health and sports

Women’s health is a crucial and basic pillar of the country’s overall wellbeing, according to GASTAT.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has seen an increased interest in both physical health and sports.

Mass participation in sports by both men and women rose from 13 percent in 2015 to almost 50 percent in 2022, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) had previously reported.

The Kingdom has placed significant importance on women’s health by including physical education classes in the public education programs at schools, providing job opportunities in several sports fields – including joining football teams, and allowing women to enter sports stadiums to attend various sports activities.

Saudi Arabia’s national women’s football team after winning their first-ever international match beating the Seychelles on February 20, 2022. (File photo: Twitter)

A women’s motorcycle driving training program was even launched in Dammam for the first time in the Kingdom’s history.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) also announced earlier this week the establishment of a female-centered health and wellbeing company with Princess Reema bint Bandar as its head.

The Kayanee Company will focus on women’s health and the lifestyle of future generations of young women through six offerings that include fitness, apparel, personal care and treatments, nutrition and diagnostics, healthy eating, and learning.

According to the GASTAT report, young women aged 15 years and above engaged in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per week, reaching 38.7 percent in 2021, the highest percentage compared to 2019 and 2020.

The highest age group of women engaged in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a week is the age group 20–24 with 43.13 percent, followed by the age group 25-29 with 42.88 percent.

Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to promote exercise and fitness to improve the public’s quality of life.

GASTAT

GASTAT is the only official reference for statistical data and information in Saudi Arabia.

The authority carries out all statistical work, as well as the technical oversight of the statistical sector, and designs and implements field surveys, conducts statistical studies and research, analyzes data and information, and documents and archives all works containing information and statistical data on all aspects of life in Saudi Arabia.

It gathers, classifies and analyzes data, and extracts indicators from it.

International Women’s Day: The Saudi women paving the way for future generations

Saudi Arabia’s female labor force participation rose to 37 pct in 2022: Minister

Original Article

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM