In addition to economic opportunities, women in Saudi Arabia have also gained more rights in areas such as travel, guardianship, and personal status. Reforms have allowed women to obtain passports, travel abroad, and make decisions about their personal lives without requiring the approval of a male guardian. These changes have been welcomed by many as steps toward greater gender equality and social progress.
However, challenges remain. While the reforms have opened up new opportunities for Saudi women, societal attitudes toward gender roles and equality are evolving at a slower pace. The kingdom’s leadership has emphasized the need for gradual social change, recognizing that deeply entrenched cultural norms cannot be transformed overnight.
Saudi Arabia’s Role in Regional and Global Affairs
As Saudi Arabia celebrates its 94th National Day, it does so as a regional power with significant influence in the Middle East and beyond. The kingdom’s foreign policy has been shaped by its strategic location, its role as the world’s largest oil exporter, and its leadership within the Muslim world.
Saudi Arabia has played a key role in shaping regional politics, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes other Gulf Arab states. The kingdom has also sought to strengthen its alliances with key global powers, particularly the United States, with whom it has maintained close diplomatic and military ties for decades.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has taken on a more assertive foreign policy, particularly in response to regional conflicts and threats posed by Iran’s influence in the Middle East. The kingdom has led a coalition in Yemen to counter Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and has been involved
