RIYADH: Saudi women’s participation in the political affairs of the Kingdom has improved through the enactment of a series of legislative measures, according to a recent study.
One of these measures, which is considered the most important, has increased the participation of women in the Shoura Council.
However, the study found that such participation needs improvement, suggesting that Saudi women implement Shoura resolutions as well as the recommendations.
The study, titled “Factors affecting the activation of women’s political participation in Saudi Arabia,” was a doctoral thesis written this year by Hind Al-Otaibi.
She expressed hope that her study would be a valuable contribution to ramp up women’s participation in the Kingdom’s political affairs.
The study aimed to find out “the various factors affecting the activation level of political participation of women in Saudi society and to find the common trend among women in this area.”
The study explained that “the most important factor affecting the level of activation of the political participation of Saudi women is cultural.”
“This clearly shows the lack of social acceptance of women’s work and achievement in the Kingdom’s political sphere,” the study said.
The study explained that “despite what characterized the Saudi women’s abilities, it did not result in minor changes in their political participation.”
Based on its findings, the study aimed to provide a mechanism for activating political participation of Saudi women in contemporary times.
The writer employed a systematic theory as one of the modalities in conducting and writing the study, in addition to the usual interview as a tool for data collection.
The study was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a PhD at the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Social and Administrative Sciences at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.
Women’s participation in Saudi political process has improved
Women’s participation in Saudi political process has improved
Carved by time: Saudi Arabia’s hidden geotourism gem of Razan
- Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment
- This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road
AL-LITH: Sixty kilometers north of Al-Lith governorate in the Kingdom's west, rising above the shifting sands and valleys of the Makkah region, lies a place where the earth itself tells a story. This is Razan, a geological wonder where history is not written in ink, but etched into the stone by the patient hands of wind, water, and time.
Perched atop a high rocky mass and flanked by valleys to the northwest and southeast, Razan stands in natural isolation. This geographic solitude has acted as a guardian, preserving a landscape that feels almost otherworldly — a pristine stage set by nature over millennia.
The place is defined by its striking rock formations: dense clusters of stone, stepped ridges that resemble ancient staircases, and natural ceilings sculpted by the relentless flow of seasonal torrents.
The visual impact is one of dramatic contrast — the heaviness of solid rock balanced against open, airy spaces carved by erosion. Fine channels and intricate flow patterns mark the stone, serving as fossilized evidence of the water that once rushed through these corridors, shaping the land into a rugged work of art.
Nature’s infrastructure
But Razan is more than just a scenic marvel; for centuries, it served as a lifeline. The same forces that sculpted the cliffs also hollowed out natural rock basins. These geological depressions acted as seasonal reservoirs, catching rainwater and supplementing nearby wells. Long before modern engineering, the geology of Razan functioned as effective natural infrastructure, sustaining life in an arid environment.
This utility made Razan a strategic landmark, playing a vital role in the ancient Yemeni Hajj Road. The sturdy, elevated terrain provided a natural pathway for pilgrims, offering stability and protection on their spiritual journey toward Makkah.
Today, Razan stands at the intersection of heritage and opportunity. No longer just a passage for pilgrims, it is emerging as a valuable asset for geotourism. Its unique topography offers a visual feast for travelers and a treasure trove for scientists studying geological history.
As Saudi Arabia moves toward the goals of Vision 2030, sites like Razan are finding new purpose. By transforming this geological narrative into a tourism destination, the region aims to preserve its natural heritage while breathing new life into the local economy.
