Saudi Arabia Showcases Strategies For Enhancing Women's Economic Participation At Regional Dialogue

Saudi Arabia recently engaged in a significant regional dialogue aimed at boosting women's economic roles. This event, held in Dubai on June 17–18, included government representatives from Gulf states like the UAE and Bahrain. Organised by the UAE Gender Balance Council with the World Bank's support, it focused on sharing expertise and successful policies to promote gender equality in the workforce.

Dr. Hanadi Al-Hokair, Female Enablement General Director at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, represented the Kingdom. She participated in a panel with her counterparts from the UAE and Bahrain. Dr. Al-Hokair showcased Saudi Arabia's strategies for increasing women's participation in the labour market, highlighting recent policy reforms and achievements in empowering women economically.

The event featured interactive sessions led by World Bank experts. These sessions explored childcare policies that support women's employment and global best practices for integrating women into the digital economy. Discussions also covered reforms that help women enter non-traditional sectors such as technology and the green economy.

Participants examined global legal frameworks and successful case studies from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. A special session was dedicated to understanding the methodology of the World Bank's Women, Business and the Law Index. This index serves as a key global benchmark for evaluating gender-related regulatory progress.

Saudi Arabia has made notable strides in increasing women's labour force participation. From 17% in 2017, this figure rose to over 36% by 2025, surpassing Vision 2030's original targets. The Kingdom's involvement in this dialogue underscores its dedication to empowering women across all sectors as part of Vision 2030.

The event provided a platform for exchanging knowledge on effective policies that enhance gender equality in employment. By participating, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to elevating women's roles in various sectors, aligning with its broader vision for economic development.

With inputs from SPA