Saudi women specialists and experts in their respective fields have called for the creation of executive bodies to implement government decisions regarding their role in the socioeconomic and cultural development of the Kingdom. The women were all praise for the support extended to them by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to enhance their role in nation-building. They hoped that this year they would be able to achieve many of their ambitions and dreams; work in key posts where they can enjoy executive powers of decision-making in matters of women. Madawi Al-Hassan, businesswoman and member of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said one of the biggest dreams of the Saudi businesswomen is that the proxy rule which makes it inevitable for Saudi businesswomen to appoint male representatives to act on their behalf in dealing with government agencies would be abolished so that they can pursue their transactions and process their applications by themselves, Al-Watan said. She stressed that the change of the rule will safeguard their interests and protect them from being exploited by male representatives. Saudi women, she said, also need to decide what education they need for their future career. “Saudi women are looking forward to be ministers and not only deputy ministers. “It is not a surprise that a Saudi woman becomes a minister during the era of King Abdullah who supports women in all fields as long as they don't clash with the conservative Saud society and Islamic teachings,” she said. Shoura participation Dr. Aisha Natou, noted businesswoman and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Al-Ain Co. for Optics, said, “It is not enough that a woman has become a deputy minister especially when Saudi women represent 52 percent of the total population. We need women decision-makers in several areas. For example, Saudi women need women members in the Shoura Council. We need women to fill key posts in social affairs and in health. We are also looking for the day when women lawyers stand in courts in the service of the society. Advisory committee Dr. Maha Al-Atta, Family Medicine Consultant said, “I am looking forward to a Higher National Women Committee to be under the direct supervision of King Abdullah, and be headed by a woman so as to care for women's health and social affairs because women are the best to address their own affairs. Women should be included from pension even if they are married especially if they are not working. There must also be especial social shelters for divorced women and widows to enable them to lead an honorable and dignified life.” Job opportunities Dr. Suhair Al-Qureshi, Principal of Dar Al-Hekma College, said what Saudi women want is more care to the factors of their development besides increasing the effectiveness of their contribution to society and their participation in the national development process by creating job opportunities for them. Hadi Al-Yami, member of the Human Rights Commission, holds executive authorities accountable for the slow implementation of the government decisions. __
