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

Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Twaijri, the Secretary General of Family Affairs Council, speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Photo: Ali Al-Zaheri)
Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Twaijri, the Secretary General of Family Affairs Council, speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Photo: Ali Al-Zaheri)
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Sec-Gen of Saudi Family Affairs Council: Similar Cases Globally, Different Solutions

Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Twaijri, the Secretary General of Family Affairs Council, speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Photo: Ali Al-Zaheri)
Dr. Hala bint Mazyad Al-Twaijri, the Secretary General of Family Affairs Council, speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Photo: Ali Al-Zaheri)

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.”



Hot Air Balloon Rides in AlUla Skies Offer Journey through Nature, Heritage

The experience is organized under the AlUla Moments event calendar. (SPA)
The experience is organized under the AlUla Moments event calendar. (SPA)
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Hot Air Balloon Rides in AlUla Skies Offer Journey through Nature, Heritage

The experience is organized under the AlUla Moments event calendar. (SPA)
The experience is organized under the AlUla Moments event calendar. (SPA)

As part of the Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Skies Festival 2025, the governorate is hosting daily hot air balloon rides that soar above its archaeological and natural landmarks, offering visitors from around the world a breathtaking panoramic experience.

These rides are among the festival’s most popular attractions, giving guests the chance to float peacefully over AlUla’s serene landscapes, with sweeping views of its mountainous terrain, green oases, and iconic heritage sites such as Hegra, the first site in Saudi Arabia on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The experience is organized under the AlUla Moments event calendar, with the festival’s organizers aiming to provide a unique blend of adventure, serenity, and reflection, encapsulating the human connection with the sky and the universe, the central theme of the festival.

The AlUla Skies Festival will run through April 27 and includes a wide array of astronomical, educational, and cultural experiences that underscore AlUla’s growing status as a global destination for astrotourism.