Dr Hanan Al Ahmadi becomes first Saudi woman to chair Shura Council session

She was appointed assistant speaker by King Salman, boosting Riyadh's Vision 2030

Dr Hanan Al Ahmadi was made an assistant to the speaker of the Shura Council, in October. Reuters

Dr Hanan Al Ahmadi, assistant president of the Saudi Arabian Shura Council, made history on Wednesday by becoming the first woman to chair a session of the body.

King Salman issued a royal order appointing Dr Al Ahmadi, an academic who specialises in economics and health management, as an assistant to the Speaker of the Shura Council, in October.

She is the first Saudi woman to hold a top leadership position in the council and became one of the first women appointed to it seven years ago.

Dr Al Ahmadi presided over its sixth session, held online, in the absence of council president Sheikh Abdullah Al Sheikh and Vice President Dr Mishaal Al Sulami, in accordance with Article 6 of the Shura Council bylaw.

"When our King appointed Dr Hanan in a top position never held by a woman before, it felt empowering and has many young girls dreaming," said Shahd Alghamdi, a law student in Riyadh.

"Now that we know we can achieve milestones, we want to pursue them and work harder to make our families and country proud."

Dr Al Ahmadi is a member of the board of trustees of the Riyadh Economic Forum, the editorial board of the Journal of Public Administration and the Scientific Council of IPA, and a board member of the Saudi Management Association.

Dr Faisal Al Fadel, a member of the Shura Council, said that Dr Al Ahmadi chairing the session was a historic event.

Dr Al Fadel said it was part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 and realisation of one of its most important goals, which includes empowering women and investing in their capabilities.