Sec-Gen of Saudi Family Affairs Council: Similar Cases Globally, Different Solutions

Saudi Arabia's Secretary-General of Family Affairs Council, Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Twaijri, said that women concerns in Saudi Arabia are treated comprehensively, based on a system that is considered the best in international practices.

“In order to establish policies pertaining to women, we must first ensure that they enjoy their full rights,” she noted

Saudi Arabia’s Family Affairs Council was established on July 25, 2016, as an independent and official entity for the management of family issues.

The Council seeks to unite the efforts of all government sectors on children, women and the elderly. Twelve ministries are fully represented within the entity.

Al-Twaijri told Asharq Al-Awsat that when the coronavirus pandemic emerged, families were faced with further problems, especially as the virus threatened the elderly precisely.

“Older people are the most affected by the virus, so it was necessary to focus on them. The council conducted a survey to identify the most important challenges that this age group faced during the pandemic,” she noted.

The Council carried out a campaign on social media, in cooperation with various bodies, such as the Ministry of Health, to raise awareness on the means to protect this age group and alleviate their anxiety.

On a different note, Al-Twaijri emphasized the benefits of the participation of the Saudi Family Affairs Council in international organizations. She valued the Cabinet’s decision to approve the representation of Saudi Arabia in the Council of the Women’s Development Organization in the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“Balance is an important factor that is always present in the strategies of international organizations concerned with women’s affairs. It’s the balance between the women’s public and family life. In order to achieve this equilibrium, it is necessary to address the family situation of women, which in turn guarantees the access to all of their rights,” she explained.

In this regard, she emphasized that Saudi Arabia deals women issues in a comprehensive manner, based on the best international practices.

She continued: “Countries of the world have similar family challenges, no matter the differences between us. Thus, amending existing laws or proposing new policies to promote social responsibility will reflect on the Saudi society and then on the world.”