$8B investments pledged to boost women’s employment in Saudi Arabia
Saudi women leaders highlight workforce inclusion, leadership development and cultural transformation at Riyadh media forum
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Saudi women leaders have pledged more than $8 billion in investments aimed at strengthening women’s participation and leadership across the Kingdom’s labor market, officials said during a high-level discussion at the Saudi Media Forum.
Ameerah Altaweel, chairwoman of the Saudi Women Leaders Network, said the network’s 220 members are actively channeling investments exceeding $8 billion to expand opportunities for women across multiple sectors.
She was speaking during a panel titled “Women leaders shaping the future: The role of women in driving cultural transformations,” moderated by Wafaa Alrehaily.
Altaweel said the network seeks to normalize women’s presence in decision-making roles, stressing that women should not be treated as exceptions requiring special labels. She acknowledged that structural challenges remain, particularly the continued absence of women on some corporate boards.
The discussion focused on women’s growing role in leading institutional and cultural change, with panelists highlighting the integration of education, family and media as key pillars in preparing future female leaders.
Dr. Maimoonah Al-Khalil, secretary general of the Family Affairs Council, said women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia has moved beyond access to opportunities and is now defined by measurable achievements and shared responsibility. She said women are contributing directly to improved institutional performance.
Al-Khalil emphasized that Vision 2030 positions women as essential partners across all levels of the workforce, noting that family environments play a central role in nurturing leadership skills from early childhood through appropriate educational frameworks.
Zainab Abu Alsamh, chief executive of the MBC Academy, said sustainable empowerment depends on partnership between women and men. She said institutional mechanisms, including empowerment committees, are effective when they include decision-makers with the authority to resolve challenges.
Abu Alsamh added that lasting cultural transformation requires sustained investment in human capital and stronger coordination between institutions, families and media platforms, ensuring women’s leadership becomes embedded within Saudi Arabia’s social and economic development.
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