|
Riyadh: A Saudi woman could well become the country's first 'ambassador-at-large', said the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A Saudi diplomatic source told Gulf News that efforts are on to appoint at least five Saudi women in higher posts in the ministry. "The concerned ministerial committee is engaged in shortlisting well-qualified women academics in this regard. Names of those appointed for the posts will be announced within a few weeks," he said. Brigadier General Ali Al Qah'tani, director of prisons department in Riyadh, said some 49 Saudi women will be appointed in the rank of soldier in the department next month. New department According to the source, the ministry has so far appointed about 15 women as translators, and political and economic analysts.
"A new department for women has been started in the ministry's court in Riyadh. All the facilities and arrangements are in place to make them available with working conditions in line with the Sharia rules and regulations as well as their social status and limitations," he said, adding that the number of women employees will be increased in a phased manner when the need for more jobs arises. The ministry started employing women last year following an announcement of Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal in this respect. He also appreciated the well-qualified and highly educated women from the present generation who are capable of taking up challenging higher jobs in the kingdom. Last year, the minister announced plans to appoint women in the ministry for the first time.
|
