Ever since its establishment some two years ago, the Saudi Ministry of Culture has been seeking to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 through various channels.
Among them is the empowerment of women and bolstering their presence in the cultural field. This was achieved not just through supporting innovative Saudi women in various cultural sectors, but through hiring more women in the field. The ministry achieved record levels in this regard, whereby nearly 50 percent of its employees are women.
This high figure underscores the ministry’s keenness on providing a supportive and attractive environment that helps women innovate and excel.
These achievements reflect the faith Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan has in women and their abilities to play a leading role in the cultural sector.
In a statement, the ministry said that the latest figures reveal that women make up 35 percent of the workforce in the Kingdom. They make up 38 percent of the public sector and 32 percent of the private one.
The ministry has in a short period of time succeeded in forging a generation of Saudi female leaders, enabling them to revive the cultural sector, whether as part of the ministry itself or through various cultural institutions.
Saudi women have played major roles in the ministry by leading its agencies and internal administrations, as well as various projects.
Established names in the sector include Dr. Sumaya Al-Sulaiman, CEO of the Architecture and Design Commission; Noha Qattan, Executive Director of National Partnerships and Development at Ministry of Culture; Dina Amin, CEO of the Visual Arts Commission; Dur Kattan, General Director of Communication and Media at the Ministry of Culture; and Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Authority.
The Ministry of Culture said that it was relying on both genders in implementing its national cultural project.
Dr. Al-Sulaiman believes that women and men play a fundamental role in acting as producers and promoters of culture.
The empowerment of women is very important, she said.
Women must have their space and voice and they must contribute in spreading their culture, as an individual or as a member of society, where they can highlight the female experience and play an impactful role in the Saudi cultural scene, she added.
Noha Kattan hailed the work environment at the Ministry of Culture, which she said allows women and men to excel.
The ministry, she said, provides them with the elements of success, support, empowerment and development.
She also praised the ministry for remaining abreast the developments of Vision 2030 by offering fair opportunities to women.
