Saudi leadership essential in eliminating obstacles for women: Ivanka Trump

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – During a roundtable with Saudi officials on Sunday, Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump’s eldest daughter, said she felt “encouraging progress” was being made in the conservative Kingdom.

Ivanka spoke on the experience of Saudi women and their role in the economy in Riyadh as she accompanies her father on his first official visit abroad.

She called on the leadership of her Saudi counterparts to “pave the way for more opportunities” for women in the region.

“The progress in Saudi Arabia, especially in recent years, is very encouraging but there is still a lot of work to be done,” she stated, adding the fight for more freedoms in the country must continue.

President Trump’s daughter, an official advisor to the White House, addressed the need for more participation from businesswomen and female representatives of civil society.

“This is a crucial time in women’s history,” she said.

She also reminded that “in all countries, including the United States, women and girls face unique challenges that impede their full participation” in the development of society.

Ivanka is one of the few members of the new US administration to discuss women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. 

The Kingdom launched an ambitious program in 2016 called “Vision 2030” which aims at introducing economic and social reforms and boost cultural life in the country.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany