RIYADH — Assistant Speaker of the Shoura Council Dr. Hanan Al-Ahmadi met with a delegation from the Women's Leadership Center of Princess Nourah University at the council's headquarters in Riyadh recently. Al-Ahmadi opened the discussion panel by highlighting the huge milestone that the Kingdom achieved in empowering Saudi women and supporting their assumption of leadership positions in the country. She pointed out that women's entry into the Shoura Council is one of the most important features of transformation and development in the country, and directly reflects upon the state and society's belief in the great capabilities of Saudi women to be involved in societal decision-making through legislative and supervisory roles exercised by the council. "Since the launch of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, we have witnessed accelerated work to build an integrated system of legislation that encourages, empowers and guarantees women their rights. The Shoura Council had a pivotal role in drafting and reviewing many of these legislations," she said. Dr. Mastoura Al-Shammari, a council member and the director of the panel discussion, reviewed a historical overview of the Shoura Council, the stages of its establishment, the work mechanism of its specialized committees, its effective role and the work it accomplishes. She also reviewed the council's efforts in enacting regulations and updating existing ones, and studying treaties and agreements, as well as the annual reports of government agencies that the council receives. For her part, council member Princess Dr. Al-Jawhara bint Fahd affirmed that the Shoura Council has strengthened the empowerment of women through the regulations it approved to serve Saudi society, and women in particular as a major component of society. Council member Dr. Iman Al-Jibreen spoke about the active presence of council members in parliamentary forums, international meetings and conferences, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, gaining committee memberships in various parliamentary forums. To conclude the discussion, the Shoura Council members answered a number of questions from the delegation of the Women's Leadership Center from Princess Nourah University. The questions revolved around the council, its work mechanisms and the decisions it has taken for women's empowerment.
