Riyadh celebrates first Saudi Women’s Day

Riyadh : Riyadh celebrates its first Saudi Women’s Day, which started on Wednesday and will last for three days, with a large turnout expected.

The event, organized and hosted by the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh, will include women’s operetta for a female audience only.

“We want to celebrate the Saudi woman and her successful role, and remind people of her achievements in education, culture, medicine literature and other areas,” Mohammed Al-Saif, general supervisor of the center, told Arab News.

The event comes in light of directives from the minister of culture and information to highlight the leading role of Saudi women in all fields.

Al-Saif said the center will be busy with activities for women only, but families are welcome to attend outdoor activities for children.

He added that the center’s lobby will contain bazaars and booths that showcase the works of Saudi artists and photographers.

He said the operetta will be in the evening and will mark Saudi women’s achievements over the past 50 years.

The event’s schedule includes the participation of Saudi princesses in panel discussions. On the first day, Princess Al-Jawhara bint Fahad Al-Saud discussed women’s role in education.

On the second day, Princess Adila bint Abdullah Al-Saud will talk about the Kingdom’s heritage. She is a well-known advocate of women’s right to drive, women’s health awareness and their legal rights. She has spoken out against domestic violence, and has supported women’s groups and organizations.

Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, the president’s undersecretary for the female section at the General Authority for Sports, will address the importance of sports in the lives of Saudi women.

There were no attempts to stop the center’s artistic programs by any party, said Al-Saif, who expressed gratitude for “heartwarming support and encouragement.”