RIYADH – The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) held a workshop on Saudi Arabia's contract with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Al-Hayat reported. In order to write the first report to the United Nations General Assembly on the rights of Saudi women, NSHR wanted to establish a transparent agreement between CEDAW and the Kingdom. Around 25 government directorates and civil service associations were invited to discuss the Kingdom's reservations against some of CEDAW's bylaws. The attendees of the workshop were from ministries of Islamic affairs, education, higher education, interior, National Society for Human Rights, and Al-Nahda Society. Speakers at the workshop included Thuraya Obaid, Faridah Binani, and Latifah Al-Shilan who all introduced the background of CEDAW, its mission and vision and the Kingdom's stance on its bylaws. CEDAW has set bylaws to combat discrimination against women worldwide and promote gender equality. In 2000, the Kingdom said it would aim to conform to all bylaws that conformed to Islam. Accordingly, Saudi Arabia issued many regulations in 2003 in support of gender equality such as social insurance rights, health insurance rights and employee vacation rights. Today, local associations are working on involving women in the promotions and marketing and sports industries. The Kingdom has also supported and agreed to implement the committee's bylaw on equal rights in marriage, where men and women have the same rights in marriage and divorce, women are protected against forced marriages and a minimum age before a person could get married would be set. The new policies ensured for women the security of maternal rights, support for family responsibilities, health and career services and academic scholarships. The Kingdom has also worked on raising awareness of the important role of women in the economic and social sectors. The Council of Ministers issued decisions to all organizations employing women. The decisions stated that all institutes must have a women's section and the availability of well-equipped nurseries for infants in the workplace, women taking maternity leaves do not lose any labor rights, private companies are allowed to employ women and more sports and arts centers should be available for them to develop their talents and skills.
