The First Conference (NOW)

     On the 3rd of April 2018, the Female Student Campus held the first conference of the National Observatory for Women (NOW), under the patronage of his Excellency of the Minister of Labor and Social Development, Dr. Ali Nasser Al-Ghafis, and in the presence of the KSU  Rector, Prof. Badran Abdulrahman Al-Omar, his Excellency the President of the General Authority for Statistics, Dr. Fahad Suliman Al Tekhaifi, Vice-Rector for Female Student Affairs, Dr. Einas Suliman Al-Eisa NOW's  founding members and number of Vice Rectors and Faculty members. 

     The conference began with the recitation of verses from the Quran followed by a speech by Dr. Einas Al-Eisa said: “the establishment of National Observatory comes within Ksu’s framework to contribute in achieving the objectives of Vision 2030 and to make Saudi Arabia a pioneering global model of success. The Observation serves as a reference for decision-makers and civil society organizations throughout the preparation of statistical surveys and studies.”  

     Then, a presentation was played about the National Observatory for Women, which is an entity established in  KSU that monitors the participation of Saudi women in development locally and internationally. It serves as a supportive reference to decision makers, institutions, and civil society organizations through establishing indicators to measure the role of Saudi women in development and providing beneficiaries with data and supporting studies to strengthen their role.  

     After that, the Minister launched the index of women's participation in development, followed by a speech by  Prof. Badran Al-Omar, said: “Women have received a great deal of attention as they are an important component of Saudi economy as 50% of the total numbers of university graduates are female.  KSU is keen on activating the research process to serve the community and coping with the ambitious vision. The University sought through its institutes and research centers to expand scientific cooperation links to promote the principle of strategic partnership between her and all society segments”. After that, Dr. Fahad Al Tekhaifi said: “Today we gather from various governmental and private organizations and different job positions to pursue our quest in making (NOW) a success to enable women in fulfilling their tasks”. 

     Before honoring the participants, his Excellency Dr. Ali Al-Ghafis said: “The Kingdom's visions based on intensifying the national efforts of all citizens by relying on competencies and energies while enhancing the role of women in development as she is an important element in building the nation”. 

     Lastly, the General Authority for Statistics and KSU signed an MOU in establishing the (National Observatory for Women), to build detailed indicators for monitoring women's participation in development, and to periodically update them and prepare and implement statistical studies for support and development. 

     The ceremony ended with a visit to the exhibition, which forms a complement platform for the conference and shows the vision themes 2030 of women's role in development, where" a thriving economy" theme display models of competent women who contributed in development and examples of sectors that support women and enable them to obtain suitable opportunities to build their futures and contribute in economy development. Moreover, the "ambitious nation," corner reviews,  a sample of nonprofit institutions and associations that support and enable women as models for her role in social responsibility.  

     Finally, the "vibrant society," corner reviews the main important models that promote the principles of social welfare, education, arts, and culture which participate in building a society.