The W20 Troika, which includes delegates from past, current and future host countries, along with other W20 delegates, recently held a virtual gathering to mark the end of a successful W20 Saudi Arabian presidency and officially hand over the leadership role to Italy. Some of the topics participants discussed included 2020 accomplishments and ways to continue the momentum towards gender equality and women’s empowerment in 2021.
Are you one of Saudi Arabia's newly-employed women?https://t.co/KZvzMXcvAi
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) December 10, 2020
And as the G20 presidency transfers to Italy, Dr Thoraya Obaid, Chair of Women 20 (W20), one of the non-government affiliated policy recommendation engagement groups of the G20, will be handing over the reins to the incoming Chair, Dr Laura Linda Sabbadini. During her term at the establishment that brings together a transnational network of delegates representing non-governmental women’s organisations, civil society, female entrepreneurs, businesses and think tanks across G20 member states, Obaid has undoubtedly done a fantastic job. And that’s despite directing against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, an unprecedented global health crisis that has disproportionately impacted women and exacerbated gender inequalities.
On the occasion of the #InternationalHumanRightsDay, the EU Delegation in Riyadh participated in the workshop organised by @saudiwomenstory in cooperation with @HRCSaudi_EN on Human Rights in Saudi Arabia. Young Saudis discussed the promotion of human rights in the Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/zPzUXrZQGW
— EU in the GCC (@EUintheGCC) December 10, 2020
“It has been both an honour and a great responsibility to host the W20 during such a crucial year. Today, on International Human Rights Day, we are reflecting on the progress that the W20 continues to make toward women’s empowerment and gender inclusivity as we transition the presidency to Italy,” Obaid recently said. “Our work is far from done, and in the months and years ahead, we must keep women at the forefront of all decision-making. We look forward to working closely with the Italian delegation and are confident that they will continue to build on the W20 legacy.”
While she was in charge during the W20’s fifth year, the group accelerated its efforts and challenged G20 leaders to use an opportunity to prioritise a gender inclusive economic recovery. And the W20’s work over the past year was crowned with the delivery of the W20 Communiqué, a series of actionable gender-inclusive policy recommendations that will be critical for recovery from the health, social and economic crisis the world is facing due to COVID-19. The W20 then welcomed the G2O Leaders’ Declaration issued last month, which reflected a number of W20 Communiqué policy recommendations in the G20 leaders’ commitment to lead the world in “shaping a strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive post COVID-19 era,” which specifically recognises the critical role of women in rebuilding global economies. The yearly Communiqué is aimed at fostering gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in order to boost gender-inclusive economic growth for each and every country.
Today, December 10th, we celebrate the @UN's #HumanRightsDay. #SaudiArabia's #Vision2030 is committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families, as well as protecting vulnerable communities in the #Kingdom. #ThisIsHumanRights pic.twitter.com/Gvr8Jy7QVK
— HRC International (@HRCSaudi_EN) December 10, 2020
Additionally, while facing extraordinary challenges due to the pandemic, the W20, which convened its first virtual summit in October in order to share, innovate, accelerate and inspire dynamic solutions to advancing women towards a more equitable future. By transitioning the W20 Summit from in-person to an online forum, the group was able to extend its reach to the largest and most diverse audience the W20 has seen to date. The event saw over 1,300 people, with registrants from 52 countries, assembling.
Furthermore, throughout the year, the W20 Saudi Arabia worked with partners to conduct research and publish a number of reports such as “If Not Now, When? A Roadmap Towards a More Gender-equitable Economic Recovery,” carried out with Accenture Research. Some of the other impressive works included “Women Entrepreneurs, An Action Plan to ‘Build Back Better,” in collaboration with ITC, ICC and UPS, and “Tackling Discriminatory Social Institutions to Pave the Way Towards Women’s Full Inclusion and Gender Equality in G20 Countries,” with the OECD Development Centre.
Meet Salma Al-Rashid, the Saudi who has been heading the Women 20 Sherpa for almost a year now: https://t.co/sDOfyJyGcW pic.twitter.com/7b6bkZHGvS
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) August 21, 2020
Over the course of the W20 Saudi Presidency, Alnahda Society, this year’s host organisation, held a series of national dialogues in Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province, which were structured around the W20’s main focus areas: inclusive decision-making, labour inclusion, financial inclusion and digital inclusion, with women’s entrepreneurship as a cross-cutting theme. The resulting report, which is based on scientific evidence, international best practices, unique data sources and a participatory process, represents the diverse voices of women in Saudi Arabia.
It also outlines a series of recommendations Alnahda Society will work to implement to further women’s equality in Saudi Arabia. As the W20 presidency transitions to Italy, Saudi Arabian representatives, including those from Alnahda Society, will remain involved through their participation as delegates of Saudi Arabia to the W20 and as part of the Troika to continue their critical efforts to empower women socially and economically.
