Al-Jazirah newspaper

OVER the past several days, I followed closely the contentious and angry reactions to the Shoura Council's refusal to discuss a recommendation to empower women in leadership positions at Saudi embassies abroad.

I honestly believe that this anger was unjustified and all these responses were unnecessary if we took into account the possible outcome of a discussion on this proposal or any other proposals for that matter.

I do not remember any coherent decision adopted by the Shoura Council all these years after lengthy discussions on its floor. Therefore, it is immaterial whether the council approved or rejected the proposal.

However, all of us remember the tension that prevailed for many years over the issue of women driving and how the council refused to discuss it. The decision finally came in the form of an executive order and we did not turn to the Shoura to approve or reject a discussion on the matter.

In brief, I would say that we should not be angry at the Shoura Council, which is overdue on many things. We are now working toward achieving development that has gone beyond the stage of discussions and under a young leadership that is not understood by the Shoura Council. Had the council been in line with the goals of the Vision 2030 or Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman's vision for women empowerment in each sector, it would have understood the importance of women's role in each sector because development is impossible without women's participation.

We cannot forget the words of the godfather of Vision 2030 about women, when he said, "Women are a basic component of society".

If the Shoura Council had understood the requirements of the current phase of development and its future goals, it would not have rejected a discussion on the recommendation for women's appointment to leadership roles in Saudi embassies abroad.

From the data available at the current stage, I am sure Saudi women will not wait for a Shoura vote for their empowerment. They will jump to leadership roles as long as they have among them women who are capable and qualified because women are needed in such positions not just because they do exist, but because society is in need of their ideas and expertise.

I like to emphasize that all Saudi women who held leadership positions in the past have proved to be successful in their positions, which means women have the capabilities to participate in the country's development and to meet its requirements at the current phase. All they need is quick steps and not just token roles in positions of responsibility because they work with sincerity.

All what we have seen from Saudi women was success beyond doubt and their ability and willingness to serve whenever they were given the opportunity and trust.