Prepared by: Kholoud Khaled AldakhelRiyadh, April 28, 2019, SPA -- The Saudi women could take honorable historic steps commensurate with the society's culture, and the modern era's different variables, outputs and stages. These could take place, thank God, and through support of the country's leaders since inception of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The country has paid attention to all aspects that boost national development based on the principle of equality and equal opportunities starting from providing women with the right to education up to occupying high positions. Hence, the Saudi women became the focus of attention of the world in getting the full royal trust and that they are up to the responsibility that participates in activating their role as citizens-partners in construction of the homeland and its organs despite the challenges and obstacles.The empowerment and developments witnessed by Saudi women is not new. Looking back to the beginning of the year 1360 AH corresponding to 1941, Saudi women were granted the right to education by joining them to Quran and other schools in a number of towns and villages in the Kingdom. In 1379 AH, corresponding to 1959, the General Presidency for Girls’ Education as well as the schools of different stages have been established, then the Girls’ College was established and departments in the universities have been allotted in addition to benefit from the program of scholarships abroad which started in 1426 AH reaching up to opening of the largest women university in the world, Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University in 1429 AH, considered as the first integrated government city for women, with appointing Dr. Al-Jawhara bint Fahd bin Mohammad Abdulrahman as the first rector. Additionally, Mrs. Noura Al-Fayez was the first woman to be appointed as Deputy Minister of Education, in 1430 AH corresponding to 2009, the event considered as a landmark, which triggered limitless ambition of the Saudi woman in light of the current prosperity and development witnessed by the Kingdom.The year 2017 is described as “the year of empowerment of Saudi women”. However, the year 2018 witnessed more developments of empowerment to women such as driving cars, followed by enactment of the Law of Anti Harassment which confirms keenness and endeavor of the leaders to maintain women as a standard human value, as well as the resolution of allowing girls to exercise sport at schools, permit families to attend soccer games, allowing Saudi women to participate in Olympic Games, and granting women licenses to ride airplanes for the first time throughout history of the Kingdom. Then, in 2019, a Saudi woman was appointed for the first time in the position of Ambassador which reflects the bright image of capabilities and potential of the Saudi women in all fields. These firm and confident developments towards success and excellence are in essence the fruit of the resolutions and directions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, may Allah protect him, as well as efforts of the Saudi vision pioneer HRH Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Premier, and Minister of Defense.The quest by the Kingdom to achieve more ambition is going further within the framework of Vision 2030 which targets rise of Saudi woman participation in labor market to 30%, in addition to filling political positions as well as assuming an effective role in Shura Council and the security domain, and filling high positions in Education, and candidacy of women to chair municipalities. Apparently, the empowerment of Saudi women, support of their capabilities through qualification and provision of opportunities made it easy for woman to become real effective partner in the development and construction of the nation.--More13:58 LOCAL TIME 10:58 GMT0008 www.spa.gov.sa/w1092789