The civil aviation authorities of Saudi Arabia have announced the appointment of a female spokesperson, marking the latest addition to a series of significant appointments of women in the country, where women’s empowerment has recently gained momentum.
Ibtisam Al Shihri has been designated as the spokesperson for the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
This decision underscores GACA’s commitment to fostering communication with the public and media, addressing inquiries from both local and foreign media outlets, and providing them with reliable information and statistics. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance transparency.
At 37 years of age, Al Shihri boasts extensive experience in fields such as media, education, training, and planning, having served in various governmental and private institutions.
In August 2019, she made history as the first spokesperson for the Education Ministry in Saudi Arabia, according to reports in the media. She resigned from this position in July.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has embarked on a prominent initiative to empower women in various aspects of life, as part of a significant transformation within the kingdom.
In 2018, the nation lifted the longstanding ban on women driving, allowing them to drive for the first time in its history.
In another pivotal development for women’s empowerment, Saudi Arabia granted women the ability to travel without requiring approval from a male guardian and allowed them to apply for passports, easing long-standing restrictions.
Last July, Manal Al Luhaibi was appointed as the director-general of education in the Saudi port governorate of Jeddah, making her the first Saudi woman to hold this position in the kingdom.
In January, two female ambassadors were among the 11 Saudi envoys who were sworn into office before King Salman bin Abdul Aziz.
