Female leadership in Saudi Arabia’s Government

Saudi Arabia has been undergoing a transformation, driven by Saudi Vision 2030 - the Kingdom’s plan to modernise and diversify its economy. Women’s empowerment is a key aspect of the ongoing social reform in Saudi Arabia. Female participation in higher education, paid employment, and business has dramatically increased during the last decade. 

Saudi women have taken on key leadership roles across numerous sectors including government, business, science and technology, health, and education. The Saudi government is actively supporting these developments, with female entrepreneurship initiatives and leadership programmes for women. 

In this article, we feature some of the influential Saudi women in government, whose excellence in leadership, vision, communication and innovation, serve to inspire the next generation. 

Saudi Female Leadership in Government

The Saudi government is increasing gender diversity in leadership, promoting women to ministerial positions. In addition, to date, Saudi Arabia has appointed five women to represent the Kingdom as ambassadors to countries around the world.

Nora bint Abdullah al-Fayez - appointed as first female minister in 2009

Nora bint Abdullah al-Fayez, a US-educated former teacher and expert on girls’ education, became the country's Deputy Education Minister,  in charge of a new department for female students, in 2009.

Al-Shehana bint Saleh al-Azzaz - first female Vice Secretary General of the Kingdom’s Council of Ministers                                                                                               

Al-Shehana bint Saleh al-Azzaz,  previously a high-ranking lawyer with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), was appointed Vice Secretary General of the Kingdom’s Council of Ministers in 2022. She was one of the first female lawyers to practise in the Kingdom. 

Princess Haifa bint Mohammed - Vice Minister of Tourism

Haifa bint Mohammed Al Saud obtained her Master’s in business administration and management from the London Business School. She has held various government posts since 2012, and was appointed Vice Minister of Tourism in 2022.  Previously, Princess Haifa worked with the Qiddiya Investment Company, General Authority of Civil Aviation, and Tourism Development Fund. 

Dr. Tamadur Al-Rammah was appointed the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development in 2018. 

Princess Reema bint Bandar - Ambassador the the United States

Reema bint Bandar Al Saud was appointed as Saudi Arabia’s first female ambassador to the United States in 2019. Princess Reema is passionate about empowering women and has held various public service roles, including as VP of women’s affairs at the Saudi General Sports Authority. When she previously worked in the private sector, as CEO of a multi-brand luxury retail company, Reema pushed for increased female inclusion in retail. She also commissioned a study on obstacles for women in the workplace and opened the first workplace nursery in a retail store. Along with her Ambassador role, Reema is also a member of the International Olympic Committee. 

Fatimah Baeshen became the first woman to be appointed spokesperson for the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington DC, in 2017.

Haifa al-Jadea was appointed as ambassador and head of the Kingdom’s mission to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) in January 2023.

Haifa Al-Jadea, who holds master’s degrees in conflict resolution and negotiation, and international relations, previously worked at the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center and represented the Kingdom at the UN Security Council.

Basmah Al-Mayman, the Middle East Regional Director at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is one of the leading figures in promoting and developing the tourism sector in the region.

Princess Haifa Al-Muqrin was appointed as the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to UNESCO in January 2020.

Saudi Arabia’s Consultative Council

In an historic milestone, 30 women first joined Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council (Majlis al-Shura or Consultative Council) in 2013. The Shura Council is a legislative body that advises the King on issues that are important to Saudi Arabia. In September 2024, a further 19 women were appointed to the council, increasing female representation to 20 per cent of the council’s 150 seats. The newly appointed female members are distinguished experts from diverse backgrounds, bringing a range of expertise that promises to enrich the council’s deliberations.

Dr. Hanan Abdulrahim Al-Ahmadi, a Saudi Arabian academic, who has been a member of the Shura Council since 2013. One of the council’s most prominent female figures, she became the first woman to hold the position of Assistant Speaker In October 2020.

In conclusion

Saudi Arabia is a country undergoing a transformational change, with rapid development in healthcare and other sectors. Cultural and social reforms have changed life in Saudi Arabia, with increasing roles for women in leadership. Much of the information about Saudi Arabia on the internet is biased or outdated. If you have not yet had the chance to visit Saudi Arabia, we encourage you to go and see for yourself. 

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Article written by Vivienne Mendonca.