Tag Archives: women’s rights

A Saudi court on Wednesday upheld the original sentence of women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul, who had championed women’s right to drive and for an end to Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship system. Hathloul was sentenced in December to nearly six years in prison under broad cybercrime and counterterrorism laws after …

U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday told Saudi King Salman he would work for bilateral ties “as strong and transparent as possible,” the White House said, ahead of the expected release of a sensitive U.S. intelligence report on the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The report is a …

The Saudi Human Rights Commission (HRC) president said on Sunday that the Kingdom is working to protect and promote human rights around the world as it launched new human rights training programs. In the statement on UN World Day of Social Justice, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad added that human …

The sisters of prominent Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul said on Thursday they wanted real justice for her, and the lifting of a travel ban, the day after she was released from prison on a suspended sentence. Hathloul, 31, has campaigned for women’s right to drive and to end …

Prominent women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul was released from a Saudi prison after nearly three years behind bars, her family said on Wednesday, a case that has drawn international condemnation. Hathloul, 31, was detained in May 2018 and sentenced in December to nearly six years in prison on charges that …

The United States expects Saudi Arabia to improve its human rights record, including releasing women’s rights activists and other political prisoners, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Friday. Pskai’s comments underscored U.S. President Joe Biden’s intention to make human right a key issue in U.S.-Saudi relations, which he pledged …

Hasanain Alminshid had received death threats for his human rights activism for years, but ignored most of them. After his mentor was gunned down outside a police station, he finally made the difficult choice to flee Iraq. “It’s too dangerous now. There have been killings in the open in front …

Eighteen-year old Fatima Sultani gazes at the peak of a mountain near Afghanistan’s capital Kabul after completing a morning climbing session, considering her next challenge. She and her team of nine young Afghan mountaineers, including three women, are hoping to climb Afghanistan’s Mir Samir mountain and after that travel to …

A Saudi teen who picked up ice skating three years ago at a friend’s birthday party is now dreaming of taking part in the Olympic Games. “It all started at my friend’s birthday party three years ago where we ice skated and I fell in love with the sport. I …

An investigator for the U.N. Human Rights Council urged member states on Thursday to pressure Saudi Arabia to free women activists before a G20 nations summit which Riyadh will be hosting in November. At least a dozen prominent women’s rights activists were arrested in Saudi Arabia in 2018 as it …

The ‘Breathe’ event in Riyadh last week has attracted my attention. This event sought to break the barrier of fear, raise the quality of behaviour, and discover the various capabilities of knowledge and innovation. It also sought to raise the quality of life through exercise, meditation and breathing. By Lina …

Arabian Business magazine has named Dr. Aisha bint Butti bin Bishr, Director-General of Smart Dubai, one of the world’s most influential Arabs for 2019 – a list that included high-profile Arab leaders in government, finance, and business. Dr. Aisha bint Butti was recognised for her leading role in the smart …

The UAE is adopting a realistic policy on combating discrimination against women by guaranteeing their right to education, according to a UAE official. ”Women constitute 60 percent of the total enrolled learners in all education levels in the UAE,” said Saeed Al Jarwan, member of the UAE Permanent Mission in …

The UAE-Japan Friendship Committee for Women’s Career Development, which supports the empowerment of women in the oil and gas industry, kicked of on Tuesday its 9th meeting in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of its President, H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of …

We may think we know a lot about Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman, one year after he was elevated to Crown Prince. After all, the past 12 months have seen him blitz world capitals, wooing politicians, business leaders and populations alike promoting his vision for modernizing his country. In London …

Three women’s rights activists were arrested in Saudi Arabia Thursday, allegedly because of their work as advocates for human rights, an organization that monitors arbitrary arrests in the Sunni Muslim Kingdom claimed. Loujain al-Hathloul, a 28-year-old social media figure, Aziza Al-Yousef, a 60-year-old mother of five, and Eman Al-Nafjan, a …

Did we Arabs ever wonder how we would have dealt with our own Harvey Weinstein moment, if there was one? Have we ever spared a thought for sexual assault victims in the region? Human rights groups and legal correspondents say Arab women keep their nightmares hidden behind closed doors and …

The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) and the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) have launched a platform available to women entrepreneurs, aimed at accelerating processes such as applications, permits, visas and licences. This ‘single-window’ service, available exclusively to women, is in line with the directives of Her Highness Jawaher Bint …

A delegation from the UAE Gender Balance Council was received by Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development Cooperation of Belgium, on Wednesday. The Gender Balance Council delegation is currently in Brussels as part of an official visit to Europe. The delegation’s visit aims to strengthen international …

In a new breakthrough ruling for women in Saudi Arabia, divorced mothers are now allowed to retain the custody of their children provided there are no disputes between the parents. Instead of fighting a legal battle to retain or win the custody of their children, divorced mothers can now submit …

With the International Women’s Day having been observed since 1909, women in Dubai talked to Gulf News about how they can take steps to bring about the change they want to see in society. Manya Pamnani, director, Advisory and Consulting at Crowe Horwath: “I firmly believe that women themselves are …

The UAE will continue its efforts to promote and protect human rights in line with its national legislation and laws and its international obligations, Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on Monday. “The UAE is determined to move forward by building on achievements made in human …

Driving schools for women in Saudi Arabia will be operational in March, almost four months ahead of the day when women are officially allowed to drive on Saudi roads. The date should be enough for women to go through the training process and acquire the necessary skills to pass the …

New amendments to Law No. 6 of 2012 on human resources management and policies pertaining to police, Civil Defence and immigration officers in the emirate have been issued. His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, in his capacity as the Ruler of …

Traffic authorities and safety campaigners in Saudi Arabia have warned against responding to ads offering driving courses to women. “Nobody has been licenced to train women on driving in public places, and women should be weary of ads offering courses and thus avoid becoming victims of abuses,” said Abdul Rahman …