Since its inception, the Women’s section has focused all its efforts on promoting the role of women in the development of Saudi Arabia. With a varied and effective set of services and activities, the section has been able to provide Saudi Arabian women here in the UK with support through outreach and information programmes, which have also been tailored to those UK citizens interested in knowing more about the role of women in the Kingdom.

The section has also overseen a number of key events aimed at building bridges between the UK and Saudi Arabia. Below are descriptions of a selection of those events.

1 – The International Spring Fair.

Held between 10-11 May 2004, the event was organised to raise funds for charity. With full participation from countries around the world, each country displayed exhibits that reflected their national culture. The Kingdom – through the Women’s Section – exhibited various Saudi products and many other items of interest. Saudi Arabia was among three exhibiting countries that raised the most money for charity.

2 - Women in Business Forum.

This was held in the UK between 18-20 May 2004 with 40 Saudi businesswomen taking part. This strong participation owed its success to the pivotal role the women’s’ section played in bringing them to the conference as well as providing a suitable platform for them to network and share their experiences with attendees and guests.

To make the trip worthwhile for Saudi women, the section also put into action an effective plan, involving a meeting with representatives of the British Media, in which the women met well-known journalists and expressed their views and opinions as well as clarified issues about their lives.

In liaison with Baroness Paula Uddin, the section also arranged a trip to the House of Lords, giving the visitors useful insights into the British governmental system. The women had the chance to meet MPs and discuss with them issues related to women in the UK and the Kingdom. They also participated in a seminar conducted by Baroness Uddin inside the House of Commons.

The visitors also had the chance to meet HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi Ambassador to the UK and Ireland, and his wife, HRH Princess Nouf bint Fahd bin Khalid. The women asked many questions and had a number of requests for HRH Prince Turki Al-Faisal who assured them of his own personal commitment to them achieving their ambitions.

3 - Challenging Limitation: The Redefinition of the Roles for Women in the GCC.

Held on 23 June 2004 at the Brunei Gallery of the University of London, this conference was organized by the London Middle East Institute (LMEI). The Women’s Section highlighted to the LMEI at the conference the role that Saudi women played in their society and the need to combat stereotypes of Arab and Muslim women prevalent in western society.

Three Saudi women participated in this conference and presented working papers. HRH Princess Lulwa Al-Faisal was a keynote speaker and talked about Saudi women and their contribution to society. She explained the journey made by women from the past to the present. Dr Fawizia Al-Bakr addressed the role of women in education. Dr Hayat Sindi, a well-known scientist entertained the audience with her experience as a woman who had chosen to prove to herself to those who had doubted her, and that being a woman and from Saudi Arabia was not a barrier to the success. She has received many international prizes, including the Princess Anne Prize and the Crown Prince Abdullah prize for High Achievement.

4 - Saudi National Day.

On 23 of September, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day. It is an occasion that most Saudis look forward to with pride and joy. The Women’s Section always brings Saudi families together to celebrate this great event, making it a memorable cultural and family experience.

5 - British Travellers in Arabia exhibition.

Held between 27-3 October 2004 at the Embassy, this exhibition showed how British travellers in the past were intrigued by the Arabian desert and its people. It also demonstrated the existing strong ties between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, explaining how these relations were not new but had existed for many years.