As a joint event between the United Nations Office and the Human Rights Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the “Empowering Women in the Kingdom” symposium was organized on the occasion of International Women’s Day. It reviewed what has been achieved within the framework of implementing women’s rights at the national level and presented the various legislative and administrative measures that were approved in the Kingdom to promote and advance women’s rights in accordance with its international obligations in this field. Success stories of some women in various academic, technical, economic and political fields and specializations were also presented.

His Excellency the President of the Human Rights Commission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and His Excellency the Minister of Civil Service participated in the opening session of the symposium, with the participation of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Saudi Arabia, where welcome speeches were given that praised International Women’s Day and the achievements that have been achieved in the Kingdom in the field of women’s empowerment. In her welcoming speech, the UN Resident Coordinator expressed her pride as the first UN Resident Coordinator and the second female Ambassador to the Kingdom. In her welcoming speech, she also referred to the work of the United Nations in strengthening all its fields to achieve gender equality, and the emphasis stipulated in the United Nations Charter on the principle of equality between women and men and the importance of contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals. on gender equality and Goal 4 on ensuring effective implementation of inclusive, equitable and quality education for all. It also appreciated the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to improve its institutional and policy framework in order to accelerate the elimination of discrimination against women and promote gender equality, by adopting Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, which among its goals is to empower women and increase their contribution to economic and social development.