First Saudi woman to chair Shura Council session

Assistant President of the Saudi Arabian Shura Council, Dr Hanan Al Ahmadi, made history on Wednesday by becoming the first woman to chair a session of the body. The Shura Council is the formal advisory body of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has no executive power. 

Dr Al Ahmadi presided over its sixth session, held online, in the absence of council president Sheikh Abdullah Al Sheikh and Vice President Dr Mishaal Al Sulami, in accordance with Article 6 of the Shura Council bylaw.

King Salman issued a royal order appointing Dr Al Ahmadi, an academic who specialises in economics and health management, as as Assistant President of the Shura Council, in October.

Dr Al Ahmadi is the first Saudi woman to hold a top leadership position in the council and became one of the first women appointed to it seven years ago.

Dr Faisal Al Fadel, a member of the Shura Council, said that Dr Al Ahmadi chairing the session was a historic event.

He added that the appointment was part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 and realisation of one of its most important goals, which includes empowering women and investing in their capabilities.

Shahd Alghamdi, a law student in Riyadh, commented on the milestone. 

When our King appointed Dr Hanan in a top position never held by a woman before, it felt empowering and has many young girls dreaming... Now that we know we can achieve milestones, we want to pursue them and work harder to make our families and country proud."

Dr Al Ahmadi is a member of the board of trustees of the Riyadh Economic Forum, the editorial board of the Journal of Public Administration and the Scientific Council of IPA, and a board member of the Saudi Management Association.

 

Source: commonspace.eu with The National News (London/Riyadh).
Photo: Dr. Hanan Al Ahmadi (Twitter:@SalaamGateway). 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.