Empowering the role of women in politics can be critical for peace. A woman's perspective can have a positive impact in negotiations for peaceful resolutions. In times of war, it is important from a humanitarian point of view to allow women the opportunity to show their solidarity with their sisters who are living in fear, are surrounded by violence and are victims of political disputes. The role of women in politics should not be underestimated. They can be much better agents for peace. Manal Radwan, the first secretary of the Saudi mission at the UN, demonstrated great strength and eloquence in her speech when she boldly called on the United Nations to set a timeline ending Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and to compel Israel to abide by UN resolutions during the fourth meeting of the UN General Assembly's Special Political and Decolonization Committee at UN headquarters in New York on 7 Oct 2016. Speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Radwan emphasized the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. She stated that Israel should be compelled to comply with UN resolutions and with the Arab Peace Initiative launched 14 years ago by Saudi Arabia to establish an independent Palestinian State, with Jerusalem as its capital. The initiative also demanded that Israel be compelled to withdraw from all occupied Arab lands. Radwan's fluent English and her smooth delivery were very effective and gave the statement extra strength. Furthermore, the fact that she is a Saudi woman had a positive impact on the audience. We need to project this positive image more often in international events to erase some of the prevailing misconceptions about Saudi women that have dominated the Western media for some time. Radwan is one of many Saudi women who continue to serve their country and represent the modern progressive woman who is equal to any in the international community. In November, Hala Al-Jafali was the first woman to become an honorary consul in Saudi Arabia after being appointed to that post by Saint Lucia, an island nation in the eastern Caribbean. Al-Jafali's appointment should have received more media coverage and it should be celebrated by women on a national scale. Equally prominent is Afnan Al-Shuaiby who was appointed Secretary-General and Chief Executive of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce in 2007. Dr Al-Shuaiby has rich experience and is truly a role model who has not been given due recognition by Saudi media. Women like her project a positive image of the country with their advanced credentials and international acclaim. Dr Al-Shuaiby previously worked as Advisor to the President of the US-Saudi Arabian Business Council in Washington, D.C. She is an active member of the Board of Directors of the London-based Arab International Women's Forum (AIWF). Dr. Al-Shuaiby holds a certificate in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC and Executive Education from the Harvard Kennedy School. She was nominated for the Business Services Award Category in 2009, and was named "Diplomat of the Year" for the Middle East by Diplomat Magazine in 2011 in recognition of her achievements as a foreign diplomat in London. Dr. Al-Shuaiby was also the recipient of the World of Difference 100 Award in 2011 from The International Alliance for Women (TIAW). She topped the list of the 30 most powerful women in Saudi Arabia in 2014 as reported by the Arabian Business website. Earlier this year, Arwa Al-Munajjed was appointed First Secretary at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington DC. She is a graduate of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, one of France's leading universities for social sciences. She was previously Human Rights Attache to the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN in Geneva and represented the Kingdom at the UN's Convention on the Rights of the Child in New York. Sarah Husseini was appointed Elections Officer at the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN. Husseini designs and runs international campaigns in which the government of Saudi Arabia and Saudi nationals are candidates. She also directs outreach efforts including internship programs, the UN Young Professionals Program, as well as recruitment. Previously, Husseini was the Sixth Committee Expert covering topics in Legal Affairs and Counter Terrorism and was the Fifth Committee (Budgetary and Administrative Committee) Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN. Husseini holds a Master's Degree from Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy and International Relations in International Law and Human Rights. Osama Nugali, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the ministry has been employing Saudi women for the past 10 years according to their merit. More than 370 women are working abroad as undersecretaries or attaches. If encouraged, Saudi women diplomats can be agents of change and a driving force for stabilizing an insecure and troubled region. Many international organizations involve women in the security arena and as agents for peace. The participation of more women of high calibre in Saudi and Muslim international organizations could rejuvenate their role in addressing many of the challenges facing the Arab and Muslim world today. Samar Fatany is a radio broadcaster and writer. She can be reached at [email protected]
