The AboutHer Global Forum 2019 just wrapped up an engaging panel in Washington, D.C. in George Washington University on Tuesday, the 16th of April, where it highlighted the trailblazing achievements of Saudi women at the forefront of the country’s advancement and progress. The theme of the forum was “Saudi Women on the Road to Vision 2030”.
The objective of the symposium was to shine a light on the role of Saudi women with regards to the vision propelled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. With a chance of real development, increased opportunities, and a whole new outlook, the reforms are aimed at pushing and encouraging Saudi females to continue to break down boundaries, beyond borders.
The speakers included prominent personalities both Saudis and internationals, all leading experts in their field:
- Mohammed Fahad Al-Harthi, Founder and Editor-in-chief of AboutHer
- Dr. Reem Daffa, the moderator and the Vice President & Executive Director at the Saudi American Public Relation Affairs Committee
- Safa Turkustani, spokesperson for Saudi women in the US
- Lama Alhawas, a cancer researcher at Georgetown University.
- Hesa Alyahya, women's empowerment advocate and student of political science and economics
- Farah Alsofyani, public speaker on women's empowerment and MS in Biotechnology and Drug Discovery at the John Hopkins University
- Liz Feld, president of The Suzanne Wright Foundation and former Director of News Information at ABC News
- William O’Reilly, political columnist for Newsday and current board member at the William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale
The forum resulted in interesting and inspirational conversations that shed a light on a number of things, you can check the live videos here. But for now, here are 10 moving quotes from the panelists:
- "Serve. You were empowered, you empowered yourself, so empower other women."
- "They need to know you [Saudi women], and the way they know you is not so much through politics but through culture, through food, and fashion, and ideas, and in exchange of comparing notes and that’s what this [AboutHer Global Forum] offers."
- "Western media should focus on the reality and successes of Saudi women. We are happy to contribute to this role abroad through our education and achievements. We do not do this for ourselves but for future generations."
- "We are working on becoming a fully-inclusive society, one where every citizen has a role to play in the country’s greater vision, and one where Saudi women are at the forefront of driving growth, leading change, and inspiring the nation in every way."
- "The way to empower yourself is to have the knowledge, the skill, and the opportunity. It comes as a package. The knowledge you can gain in through your university or education, the skills from workshops, and the opportunity, you can create the opportunity through networking."
- "Embrace your failure and vulnerability."
- "AGF has been envisioned as an annual platform through which Saudi Arabia’s most innovative, inspiration, and outstanding women at the forefront of our ongoing transformation are highlighted and honored."
- "This new journey we have chosen to embark on can only be possible when we first and foremost support the visions, talents, efforts, and improved rights of all women in the Kingdom."
- "For a forum hosted by a major fashion magazine AboutHer, I am surprised to hear all of these amazing women achieving success in economics, science and bio chemistry, contrary to common stereotypes none of them talked of fashion of brands."
- "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting."
