By Anas Alyusuf

JEDDAH — International Women’s Day, which falls on March 8, is not only a seasonal celebration of what women have accomplished throughout history, but rather strengthening of their paramount role in building this world in partnership with their male counterparts. Moreover, the day is a reminder that women are the vital half that complements progress and prosperity of humanity on the planet.

International Women’s Day commemorates the cultural, political and socio-economic achievements and empowerment of women. In 1996, the United Nations announced “Celebrating the past, planning for the future,” as the theme for Women’s Day. Since then, every year a theme is given to mark the celebrations. For 2022, the UN has given the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow,” which aims to recognize women who are working to build a more sustainable future. However, the International Women’s Day website diverted from the UN given theme and announced “Break the bias,” as this year’s concept. This outlines a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; a world that is diverse, equitable and inclusive; and a world where is difference is valued and celebrated.

The celebration of International Women’s Day dates back to 1856, when thousands of women went out to protest in the streets of New York against the inhumane conditions under which they were forced to work. However, the designation of the March 8 as International Women’s Day did not take place until many years since then. This is because the United Nations did not agree to adopt that occasion.

The UN approved celebration of this occasion only in 1977 when it adopted a resolution calling on the countries of the world to adopt any day of the year they choose to celebrate the Women’s Day, and hence the majority of countries decided to choose March 8 as the International Women’s Day.

In Saudi Arabia, women have played a significant role in building the society, and they are a stellar pillar in its growth and development. The Kingdom’s laws, which are derived from the Islamic Shariah, adopted the principle of complementary equality between men and women, taking into account the characteristics and hallmarks of both sexes, so as to achieve gender equality and justice ultimately.

The Kingdom is of the conviction that the integration of the relationship between both sexes is an ideal way to promote and protect human rights. And hence it has introduced reforms to enhance women’s participation in nation building and economic development, including unifying the retirement age of both sexes; preventing gender discrimination in terms of wage, types and fields of job and working hours; as well as empowering women to engage in businesses without obtaining guardian’s prior approval, in addition to ensuring equality in the work environment, wages, and the like.

The Kingdom has also made great efforts and giant leaps toward enhancing the role of women in leadership positions in a way achieving gender balance and parity. It has launched several initiatives in this regard, such as the project to empower women leaders in decision-making positions; the project to achieve gender parity in the civil service; the remote work strategy project in the civil service, the project of children hospitality centers at workplaces, and the National Platform for Saudi Women Leaders.