Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Women Breaks From the Mold | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page

Jeddah, Asharq Al-Awsat- The Saudi ministry of culture and information appointed this week Dalal Aziz Diaa’ as its new director for Radio Jeddah’s program 2. The first Saudi women to hold this position, Diaa’ will be responsible for 19 departments, including women’s radio programs, entertainment shows and news, broadcasting round the clock.

Diaa’ spoke to Asharq al Awsat and expressed her happiness at her new senior role, especially since most women in Saudi Arabia work as assistants.

Born into a family with a history of involvement in media and culture, Diaa’s father Aziz is a renowned author and her mother Asmaa one of the first female radio presenters. Diaa studied history at Riyadh University and, after graduating in 1976, worked as an assistant in the radio station. Realizing the important role broadcasting plays in society, she decided to specialize in media studies and enrolled in the media department at Cairo University, after leaving her work as a social therapist with the ministry of social affairs.

“I plan to continue with the current administration policies which involves supporting and developing radio’s role in Saudi society, especially in Jeddah.”

Asked about the experience of Saudi women in the media, Diaa’ said, “Saudi society has begun to give women its rights in administrative posts. Saudi women have to hold on to these rights. Saudi women have been involved in the media for over 40 years. They have proved their ability in this field. Women have also succeeded in the press and television.”