JEDDAH – Continuing as a facilitator in the evolution of the role of women in Saudi society, Microsoft has donated $310,000 (SR1,162,500) worth of computer software to Al-Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women, the Kingdom's oldest charity for women. The donation comes on the heels of a similar donation worth $50,000 that was made in 2014. The new software will enable the charity organization to increase its efficiency in processing numerous financial transactions ranging from accepting and processing donations to paying employee salaries. “We believe technology can do amazing things,” said Samir Noman, President of Microsoft Arabia,” and we are committed to working with Al-Nahda to employ state-of-the-art technology to help it make a difference in the lives of Saudi women. For more than a half-century, Al-Nahda has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of Saudi women. We are proud to partner with them, just as we have with thousands of similar organizations around the world. This and our previous donations are clear signs of our commitment to assisting Al-Nahda fulfill its mission ‘to empower women economically and socially through financial support, training and employment services.'” “We are very grateful to Microsoft for this generous donation,” said Rasha Alturki Al-Nahda's CEO. “This will allow us to be much more effective in providing assistance to our targeted beneficiaries. Al-Nahda has adapted to many different environments since its inception in the early 1960s, and this gift will allow us to evolve further in addressing the needs of today's Saudi women.” Through its technology, programs and partnerships, Microsoft is working to improve local economic growth, address societal challenges and make a real impact on the people and communities in which it operates. In addition to its donation to Al-Nahda, Microsoft operates numerous programs aimed at assisting women interested in entering the traditionally male bastion of IT as well as programs that aim to groom qualified and deserving female and male students for rewarding and beneficial careers in the IT industry. — SG
