RIYADH — The First Saudi Global Forum in Washington D.C. USA highlights the significance of female participation in all aspects of Saudi society

Over the last two years, Saudi Arabia has been going through a groundbreaking period of transformation that is focused on diversifying its oil-dependent economy, and that has improved the rights and mobility of the Kingdom’s women.

To mark this milestone phase in the country’s history, lifestyle portal AboutHer has created The AboutHer Global Forum (AGF), a platform dedicated to honoring and celebrating trailblazing Saudi women at the forefront of the country’s advancement and progress. The first edition of AGF will be held on April 16, 2019 at the George Washington University (Washington D.C.).

AGF is an annual forum that aims with each edition to highlight the significance of female participation in all aspects of Saudi society, as well as to focus on the importance of cultivating an environment of encouragement and positivity that supports their visions and accomplishments. It also aims on providing a space in which key insights, methods of critical inquiry, and pertinent solutions can be shared. This year’s theme, “Saudi Women On The Road To Vision 2030,” explores the various roles and endeavors of Saudi women within the Kingdom and beyond in ensuring the country’s successful transformation by the year 2030.

Following Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman’s ascension to his role in 2017, Saudi Arabia has been focusing on realizing Vision 2030, an ambitious plan that is set to modernize Saudi society and strengthen its economy, a key part of which involves reforms targeted towards improving the lives of women in the country. Indeed, Saudi Arabia has been pushing for more women to take up top leadership positions, it has reformed different facets of its legal structure to give women more rights, it is transforming its public sphere to be more accommodating to women, and it has created more opportunities across various sectors for women to work in.

The panel will discuss perspectives from Saudi women across the globe including; Saudi women in the diaspora and their role in achieving Vision 2030, diverse female voices, the global Saudi women, and how Saudi women across the world empower women within the kingdom.

Also, the panel will discuss different perspectives from Saudi women on the ground and their achievements and how Saudi women today are influencing policy and economic development. — SG