Saudi Gazette Every day Saudi women are proving themselves to the world that their cultural background, their hijab, and their religion are no longer hindrances in the way of improvement and advancement. Arabian Business Magazine recently revealed the 100 most powerful Arab women for the year 2012 and among these amazing women, 14 are of Saudi origin. The women were chosen for their leading and influential roles in a number of fields, such as science, culture and society, banking and finance, media, construction and industry, retail, sports, transport, and information technology. Saudi Arabia landed third and fourth place on the list of the most powerful Arab women this year. Third place was awarded to Lubna Olayan, the CEO of Olayan Financing Company and one of the most prolific businesswomen in the Kingdom. Fourth place went to Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel who is one of the world's most recognized philanthropist known for her work and support in a wide range of humanitarian causes both within the country and across the globe. Hayat Sindi steps in at number nine for her achievements in the field of science. She holds a PhD in biotechnology from Cambridge University and became a faculty member at Harvard University. Her latest invention that won her stardom in the realm of science and medicine, also considered as a medical breakthrough is a chemically adapted slip of paper about the size of a stamp that can be used as a cheap and simple laboratory diagnostic tool that gives quick results to detect life-threatening diseases. Not very far down the list is Lama Sulaiman, a mother of four and a breast cancer survivor, who was elected deputy chairperson of the Jeddah Chamber for Commerce and Industry in 2009. She become the first woman to hold such a post in the history of the Kingdom. Another Saudi name that shone on the list of the most powerful Arab woman was Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, who became the first Saudi national to head a UN agency when she was appointed executive director of the UN Population Fund and under-secretary of the United Nations in 2000. Mona Khazinder's position on the list is attributed to her cultural work and unparalleled expertise in the fields of contemporary art and photography. She became the first woman and the first Saudi national to head the internationally-renowned Insititut du Monde Arab (Arab World Institute) in Paris in April 2011, and she currently resides as its director general. Mona Al Munajjed is the author of a number of books and a professional painter. She holds a PhD in sociology from George Washington University and has worked for several United Nations agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Fund for Agriculture and Development. In her book, Saudi Women Speak, Al-Munajjed said, “I am optimistic about the role of Saudi women and the major social and economic contributions they will make to their country. With their education, skills, motivation, and ambition, women are today an essential element in the revitalization of Saudi Arabia.” Saudi-born Dr. Nahed Taher is the only woman in the entire Gulf region to head a bank. She is the co-founder and CEO of Gulf One Investment bank. In 2006, the prestigious Forbes Magazine ranked Taher 72 in the list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World. Muna Abu Sulayman is another young Saudi women on the list. She is a well-known Arab and Muslim media personality and prominent speaker on women's rights, community development, and building bridges of understanding between the East and West. In 2007, she became the first Saudi woman to be appointed by the United Nations Development Program as a Goodwill Ambassador to promote several humanitarian campaigns in the Middle East. AbuSulayman is an advisory board member of the Muslim Women's Fund which aims to strengthen Muslim women and benefit families and communities. Thirty two-year-old Manal Al-Sharif made it to number 60 on the list and is known for being a world-renowned information technology specialist. However, she is more popular for her campaign in fighting for the right of women to drive in Saudi Arabia. Heba Jamal is a TV presenter at MBC and a fashion designer, but she is more known for her role as co-host in the women's talk show in Arabic, Kalam Nawaem, which covers a wide range of topics. As the Executive Director of Al Sayedah Khadija Bin Khuwailid Business Center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Basma Mosleh Omair is removing the economic and social obstacles facing women in Saudi Arabia. The centre is committed to helping women know their legal rights, lobbying government to further the cause of gender equality, and propelling the Kingdom's march toward progress. Wajeha Al-Huwaider is a Saudi writer, women's rights activist, and the co-founder of the Association for the Protection and Defense of Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia. Last on the list but definitely not the least is Nashwa Taher who is the vice president of her family's Al Taher Group, a Saudi company whose interests range from contracting to foodstuffs. She was also one of the first women to be elected as a board member for Jeddah's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). Taher is a pioneer in improving the quality of imported foodstuffs in the Kingdom and is known to look for products that are free of potentially harmful artificial preservatives and food coloring. __
