Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – Efforts are under way at the National Observatory to strengthen women’s participation in the Kingdom’s development, said a senior official of the Family Affairs Council. She added that a database of outstanding women would be prepared for the purpose. Haila Mukairesh, executive assistant of the council’s secretary-general, emphasized the need to set up a professional network of women after the completion of the national strategy for women. She said the electronic professional network would bring together qualified women jobseekers and prospective employers including individuals, companies, organizations and establishments. Speaking to Al-Eqtisadiah business daily, Mukairesh said the council targets stronger participation of women in five core areas. Committees will be formed for women's affairs, children’s affairs, for the elderly affairs, for family protection, and institutional development. “We intend to establish a specialized information unit that will provide a number of references and sources related to the family and its members,” she said while stressing the importance of developing a comprehensive strategy for children, covering all their issues. Mukairesh said the council would focus on education, health and well being of women and children in the Kingdom. “We have a future plan to conduct a study on the economic cost of violence against women in society,” she said, adding that it would be conducted in association with ESCWA (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia). She underlined the council’s efforts to stop domestic violence as part of the National Transformation Program. “We have worked on a number of initiatives for this purpose including awareness campaigns in all regions,” she added. The council has established an agency for the protection of family and developed systems for cooperation between all stakeholders who can contribute to preventing domestic violence, she explained. “We have also prepared the ground for cooperation between private and governmental institutions that are involved in the social protection system and have carried out campaigns for the protection of family in cooperation with relevant authorities,” Mukairesh told Al-Eqtisadiah. The council is also working on a national plan for the care of elderly people with the aim of protecting their rights. “Efforts are under way to set up advanced day care centers for the elderly,” Mukairesh said. The Council for Family Affairs was established in July 2016 following a Cabinet decision. It works for the development of families across the Kingdom and takes care of children and help them uphold religious and moral values. The council seeks to realize its objectives for the care and protection of women, children and the elderly by enhancing coordination between relevant bodies and creating awareness on major family issues. “We also find solutions to various family issues,” she said. The Cabinet said while announcing formation of the council two years ago: “The council will be tasked to take care of family affairs in the Kingdom and safeguard a strong family, holding fast to the religious and moral values in raising their children and other matters in an exemplary way.” Saudi Arabia has signed a cooperation agreement with UNICEF, covering five years from 2019 to 2023.