JEDDAH: International Women’s Day on March 8, which this year has the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” is being celebrated across Saudi Arabia.

The slogan underlines the call for stronger efforts to remove barriers to equal justice, including discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, and harmful social norms and practices that undermine the rights of women and girls.

Terri Castis, chief of business and strategy at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, told Arab News: “I am incredibly proud that today, on International Women’s Day, 34 percent of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve’s 234-strong ranger team are women, breaking new ground in the conservation sector and far exceeding the global average of female rangers, which stands at just 11 percent.

“These women have changed what was once possible for communities, for families and for themselves. As we move towards the conservation ambitions of Vision 2030, we are building the next generation of skilled Saudi women conservationists ready to take the lead in protecting their natural and cultural heritage.”

Abir Abusulayman, CEO of Al-Oula Charity Organization, said: “International Women’s Day serves as a reminder of women’s remarkable achievements. This year’s (campaign) theme, ‘Give to Gain,’ reflects what Saudi women have long embodied. By nature, women are givers, and today, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030, women in the Kingdom are giving back to society the opportunities and progress they have gained over the years.

“At Aloula Charity Organization, which has been serving the community since 1962, women have consistently demonstrated through collaboration and dedication that their efforts can make a meaningful difference in the community.”

Zainab Antakia, media professional, writer and trainer told Arab News: “Saudi Arabia has granted women their full rights through empowerment, enabling them to become active contributors across all fields, leaders of change, and builders of a bright future.”

According to the UN, women currently have about 64 percent of the legal rights granted to men worldwide, highlighting persistent disparities in legal protections.

The Kingdom’s work to empower women saw female participation in the labor market reach around 36 percent in 2024, surpassing the targets set under Vision 2030. Thousands of Saudi women benefit from education and vocational training programs that prepare them to enter the workforce, alongside growing representation in administrative and leadership positions.

Saudi Arabia’s National Unified Government Platform reported that the progress is expected to have a positive economic impact, with women’s financial contribution projected to reach $39 billion by 2032, reflecting the Kingdom’s continued efforts to support women as part of its broader sustainable development goals.

The Saudi government has also continued to advance efforts aimed at achieving equality between men and women across various sectors. Initiatives include strengthening women’s rights, expanding support and welfare programs, and creating an inclusive and sustainable work environment that enables women to participate fully.

As part of this commitment, the Kingdom has introduced a comprehensive legislative framework that includes legal protection for women and empowerment programs in education, training, healthcare and social support.

Authorities have also expanded initiatives to enhance women’s roles through schemes such as the National Family Safety Program, as well as measures to support women’s participation in the justice sector, business activities and public life.

The Ministry of Culture published a video on its official account on X to mark the occasion, highlighting the role of women in culture and society under the title: “Creative through her giving, inspiring through her presence.”

The General Authority for Statistics issued the Saudi Women Report 2024, published last August, through its official website.  It includes a wide range of statistics on Saudi women (aged 15 years and above) across areas such as education, health, employment, culture and recreation, based on statistical surveys, administrative records and population estimates.

The report shows that the number of Saudi women reached 9.8 million, with the 15–34 age group representing about 35.7 percent of the total. It also recorded a decline in unemployment rates among Saudi women to 13 percent in 2024, compared with 19 percent in 2022.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the rate stood at 11.9 percent, down from 13.9 percent in the same period of 2023. Meanwhile, the number of women in the workforce rose to 36 percent and the employment-to-population ratio reached 31.8 percent.

In education and innovation, 35.3 percent of Saudi women aged 25 and above hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Saudi women also registered 22 patents in 2024 and won 1,956 local and international sports awards.

The report further indicated that 44 percent of Saudi women engage in physical activity for 150 minutes per week or more, while visiting parks and recreational areas was the most common leisure activity, at 62.7 percent.

The report is one of the authority’s annual publications that monitor indicators of women’s empowerment and progress across various sectors in the Kingdom.

The World Assembly of Muslim Youth commended the Kingdom’s efforts in supporting and empowering women, emphasizing that its comprehensive approach to development was reflected by their achievements.

It said the Kingdom has presented a pioneering model, providing women with opportunities to actively participate in the process as they have become essential partners in national development and community work, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

WAMY noted that its global humanitarian and development programs prioritize women’s empowerment by supporting education, vocational training and capacity building, alongside social welfare programs aimed at mothers and families.