More than $8 billion in investments have been pledged to support women’s participation in Saudi Arabia’s labour market, according to Ameerah Altaweel, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Women Leaders Network.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh, Altaweel said the network, which has 220 members, is working to empower women through investments exceeding SR30 billion. Her comments were made during a session titled “Women leaders shaping the future: The role of women in driving cultural transformations”, moderated by Wafaa Alrehaily. The forum concluded in the capital on Wednesday.
The panel explored the evolving role of women in the Kingdom, focusing on how female leaders are contributing to cultural and institutional change. Discussions highlighted the importance of aligning media, family and education systems to prepare a new generation of Saudi women leaders capable of taking on influential roles.
Altaweel said the Saudi Women Leaders Network is open to all women, stressing the need to widen access to senior and decision-making positions. She added that the long-term aim is for women’s representation in leadership to become standard practice, rather than something framed through empowerment initiatives. Despite progress, she noted that challenges remain, particularly as some boards of directors still do not include female members.
Dr Maimoonah Al-Khalil, Secretary General of the Family Affairs Council, said women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia has moved beyond simply creating opportunities. She explained that it is now rooted in demonstrated achievements and complementary roles within institutions. According to Dr Al-Khalil, women are making measurable contributions that improve organisational performance.
She also pointed to Vision 2030, which she said has established women as key partners across the labour market and at all professional levels. Dr Al-Khalil highlighted the role of the family as the foundation of empowerment, adding that leadership development starts early in life through access to opportunities and carefully chosen educational content.
Zainab Abu Alsamh, Chief Executive Officer of the MBC Academy, said that women’s empowerment depends on cooperation between women and men. She noted that institutional measures, including women’s empowerment committees, can play a constructive role in raising awareness, provided they involve senior decision-makers who are able to address challenges directly.
Abu Alsamh added that lasting cultural change requires sustained investment in human capital, alongside stronger coordination between institutions, families and the media. She said this integrated approach helps develop leadership models that can adapt to change and ensures women’s empowerment becomes a permanent part of the Kingdom’s social and development agenda.
