Labor Minister Adel Fakieh (far left), Culture and Information Minister Abdulaziz Khoja (2nd left) and Deputy Education Minister Nora Al-Fayez watch a cartoon showing challenges, including approval of a guardian, women face when they apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia. The cartoon was shown Tuesday on the last day of a women's business forum in Jeddah. (Okaz photo) JEDDAH: The 2nd Women's Business Forum, held under the banner, “Participation of Women in National Development 2010,” concluded Tuesday with a number of recommendations to boost the role of women in the Kingdom. There are key points that must be addressed, Maha Ahmed Fitaihi, chairperson of the Khadija Bint Khowailid Center, said at the event at the Jeddah Hilton under the patronage of Princess Adela Bint Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Board of Directors of the center. Fitaihi recommended work on a national plan that reflects rules and regulations; a plan to improve the image of women in society starting from the education curricula and programs; putting women's issues to the fore in order to ensure women's status, which is set by Islam; efforts to ensure that there is no injustice or exploitation; and work to establish women as active members in various judicial committees and commissions addressing personal and family problems. Recommendations also focused on the need for ministry's officials to cater to womens' problems and the need for women's participation as members of official councils. Officials should also ensure that there are women members of Islamic organizations and coordinators in various government departments, Fitaihi said. She also called for new rules to enact laws and regulations to ensure maternal and child care for working women; the establishment of a Saudi satellite TV channel to reflect the image of Muslim women, and efforts to ensure women scholars are legally and academically qualified. The forum also recommended work on the establishment of a committee in the Organization of the Islamic Conference and creation of databases that reflect outstanding work of Muslim women in various fields.
