At 45, a Kashmiri homemaker who spent more than two decades raising three children says motherhood reshaped every aspect of her life, from personal ambition to daily survival, reflecting the largely undocumented experiences of women who sustained households through economic hardship and political unrest in the region.

Speaking during an interview conducted on International Mother’s Day, she described a life marked by early marriage, domestic responsibility and long-term sacrifice. Married at the age of 19, she said she had been employed at an endowment institution before her marriage, but was later unable to continue working after entering her husband’s household.

Her account illustrates the social realities faced by many women in conservative and rural communities across Jammu and Kashmir during the 1990s and early 2000s, where marriage often ended formal employment opportunities for women despite educational qualifications or work experience.

“I was young when I got married,” she said. “After marriage, my responsibilities changed completely.”

According to her account, the family lived in conditions of financial hardship during the early years of marriage. She worked alongside extended family members in agricultural fields while simultaneously caring for her first child. She recalled carrying the infant with her while working outdoors, relying on assistance from female relatives during long working hours.

The woman said motherhood altered her emotional priorities soon after the birth of her first child. “My love shifted from my family toward my first child,” she said, describing motherhood as a transition that demanded constant emotional and physical commitment.

Her eldest child, who conducted the interview, described her as the “cornerstone” of the family and credited her with sustaining household stability despite economic limitations. The family marks 24 years since she became a mother.

Throughout those years, she remained a full-time homemaker, managing domestic responsibilities that included childcare, cooking, maintaining the household and supporting her husband’s work schedule. The family home eventually expanded into a 10-room residence, which she continues to maintain largely on her own, according to the interview.

Despite never returning to formal employment, she continued informal educational engagement within the household. Fluent in Urdu, she regularly read Urdu moral literature and narrated stories to her children, using them as a tool for discipline and moral instruction.

Her children said those stories became central to their upbringing and helped shape their understanding of behaviour, honesty and family responsibility. “She taught us good habits through stories,” her child said during the interview.One memory recalled during the conversation involved a school morning when a child had forgotten to polish shoes before leaving home.

According to the account, she cleaned the shoes herself using her scarf so the child could attend school properly dressed.The episode, though minor, was presented by family members as representative of the routine, largely invisible labour performed by mothers within households.

Across South Asia, domestic work performed by women remains economically unrecognised despite contributing substantially to household functioning and caregiving structures, according to multiple studies by development agencies and labour economists.

In Kashmir, women have historically played dual roles in both domestic and agricultural sectors, particularly in rural districts where families depended on subsistence farming and seasonal labour. The woman interviewed said she frequently balanced field work with domestic responsibilities during the family’s most financially difficult years.

She also linked her experience of motherhood to the wider political instability in Kashmir. Having lived through decades of unrest in the region, she said she deliberately chose neutrality and restraint while focusing on protecting her household from the psychological strain of conflict.

“Being calm was important,” she said. “There was already enough unrest outside.”

The family described her approach as disciplined and emotionally controlled, even during periods of stress. Her child said she learned over time “to fight, not flight,” a phrase used to describe her ability to endure personal difficulties without withdrawing from family responsibilities.

Her physical appearance now reflects years of labour and age, according to the interview. Grey hair and visible wrinkles have appeared, yet her routine remains physically demanding. Family members said she continues to work daily in the kitchen garden, prepare meals, iron clothes and organise household tasks for the family.

“She still works continuously,” her child said. “Even today she handles the house, takes care of our father and prepares everything for us.”

The interview also addressed changing definitions of women’s empowerment in contemporary Indian society. While public discussions around empowerment often focus on education, employment and financial independence, the family argued that domestic labour and caregiving should also be recognised within those conversations.

“Empowerment is not only moving outside the home,” her child said. “It is also about how a woman turns a house into a home.”

The statement reflects an ongoing debate within Indian social discourse about the visibility and valuation of unpaid domestic work. According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Indian time-use surveys, women in India spend substantially more hours on unpaid household labour than men, particularly in rural regions.

In this case, the woman’s contribution remained centred inside the household rather than through salaried employment. Yet family members said her role shaped the educational and moral foundation of all three children.

Although the children said they have not yet fully achieved their professional goals, they credited their upbringing and discipline to their mother’s consistency and guidance. “The morals she provided are difficult to explain,” her child said. “She is extraordinary.”

The woman’s life also reflects generational patterns among Kashmiri mothers who came of age before broader educational and employment opportunities became accessible to women in many parts of the region. While literacy and school participation among women in Jammu and Kashmir improved significantly over the past two decades, many women from earlier generations remained confined largely to domestic roles after marriage.

Despite those limitations, the woman interviewed said she never viewed motherhood solely as sacrifice. Instead, she described it as continuous work requiring patience, emotional control and adaptation.

“There were times we were hurt by our children,” she said. “But with time, I learned how to handle everything.”

Her account suggests an understanding of motherhood rooted less in idealism than endurance. Rather than describing dramatic events, she focused on repetitive daily responsibilities that accumulated over decades: preparing meals, managing finances during periods of poverty, caring for children during illness and maintaining emotional stability inside the household.

The interview concluded without expressions of regret regarding the opportunities she lost after marriage. Instead, she described satisfaction in seeing her children raised with education, discipline and social values.

Within the household, family members said she remains the central organising force even as the children enter adulthood. Her work, though informal and unpaid, continues to structure the family’s daily life.

“She made the house feel like heaven,” her child said.

Prevailing cultural narratives surrounding ageing and relationships are increasingly being challenged by accounts from women in their 60s and beyond, alongside research suggesting that postmenopausal years can be associated with greater autonomy, emotional stability and life satisfaction.

Popular discourse has often portrayed later-life dating prospects for women as limited, with media depictions and advice literature historically reinforcing expectations of diminished opportunity. Some narratives suggest that older women must lower expectations in seeking partners, while fictional portrayals frequently depict isolation and decline. These assumptions, however, are not consistently reflected in personal accounts or emerging expert analysis.

One 67-year-old woman, reflecting on her experience, reported living in a stable relationship for eight years with a partner seven years younger than her. She described similar patterns among peers in their 60s, noting that many maintain active social and romantic lives that contradict stereotypes of disengagement. Such accounts highlight a divergence between cultural perceptions and lived experiences.

Public figures have also described shifts in perspective with age. Mariella Frostrup, speaking about her experience at 63, said she now feels “much more in control” of her decisions and less constrained by external judgment. Penny Smith, 67, similarly described reduced pressure to conform to social expectations, noting that clarity about personal preferences increases with age.

Academic and medical perspectives provide additional context. Christiane Northrup, author of The Wisdom of Menopause, characterises the postmenopausal phase as a “time of awakening,” in which women reclaim energy and creativity. Gail Sheehy, in her book New Passages, argues that this life stage can coincide with renewed purpose and productivity, describing it as one of the most fulfilling periods for many women.

Neuropsychiatric research has examined physiological and psychological factors associated with menopause. Louann Brizendine has attributed reported increases in emotional clarity and resilience to reduced hormonal fluctuations following menopause. According to her analysis, this shift can contribute to a more stable emotional baseline, which may influence decision-making and interpersonal relationships.

Social attitudes toward menopause have also evolved over time. Earlier generations often approached the subject with limited public discussion, sometimes framed in negative or stigmatized terms. While contemporary discourse has become more open, some narratives continue to emphasise decline rather than adaptation or opportunity.

At the same time, broader demographic and health trends indicate that women are living longer and maintaining higher levels of activity later in life. The implication, according to researchers and commentators cited in the source material, is that postmenopausal years represent a significant portion of the lifespan, during which individuals may pursue personal, social and professional interests with fewer constraints.

Personal testimonies suggest that this period is often associated with increased self-awareness and independence. Women interviewed in the source material described greater willingness to set boundaries, prioritise personal preferences and engage in social activities aligned with their interests. These accounts align with expert views that reduced caregiving responsibilities and accumulated life experience can contribute to a sense of autonomy.

The shift in perception also intersects with changing cultural norms around ageing, relationships and gender roles. While traditional frameworks often positioned youth as central to identity and desirability, current discussions increasingly recognise diverse experiences across the lifespan.

This includes acknowledgment of continued social engagement, romantic relationships and personal development in later years.Medical experts emphasise that outcomes in postmenopausal years are influenced by overall health. Individuals maintaining good health in midlife are more likely to experience extended longevity, with the potential for active lifestyles into their 80s and 90s.

This demographic reality reinforces the importance of understanding ageing not solely as decline but as a prolonged phase of life with distinct characteristics.The evolving narrative around menopause reflects both individual experiences and broader societal change.

While challenges associated with ageing remain, the accounts and expert analyses presented indicate a shift toward recognising later life as a period marked by agency, resilience and continued participation in social and personal domains.

For decades, women in fishing communities along Lake Victoria were expected to stay on shore, selling fish rather than catching them. In Kagwel village in Kenya’s Kisumu County, stepping into a fishing boat was seen not only as unusual but as a violation of deeply rooted social beliefs.

That changed in 2002 when Rhoda Ongoche Akech, then a 39-year-old mother of seven, decided to enter the lake herself.At the time, Akech had spent years working as a fishmonger, buying fish from male fishermen and reselling them in local markets.

But rising costs for fish purchases, cooking oil, firewood and transport were reducing her earnings and making it harder to support her family.“People were alleging that when women go into the waters accompanied by men, they would engage in sexual intercourse,” Akech, now 61. She said community members initially treated her decision with suspicion, but after realising she was determined to learn fishing rather than challenge morality, opposition gradually faded.

Her decision followed an encounter in 2001 when women from neighbouring Homabay County came to Kagwel and began fishing. Watching them convinced her that the work was possible despite local resistance.“I sought the help of two young men by then to assist me with fishing as I learned,” she said.The cultural restrictions around women fishing in Lake Victoria communities are rooted in longstanding beliefs tied to gender and ritual purity.

According to Kagwel village elder William Okedo, one of the strongest taboos concerned menstruation.“It was believed that if women went into the lake while on period, they would scare away the fish and that would cause losses to people who are fishing,” Okedo said.The restrictions extended to men as well. Fishermen were traditionally discouraged from having sexual relations with their wives the night before fishing trips, based on beliefs that it would reduce their catch.

For 16 years, Akech remained the only woman fishing regularly in Kagwel, working alone among male crews.It was not until 2018 that another woman joined her. Faith Awuor Ang’awo, a 37-year-old mother of four, had also been working as a fishmonger and was facing similar financial strain.“My husband refused the idea at first,” Ang’awo said, citing fears of social backlash from the fishing community.

“But later on allowed me to join Rhoda.”In 2020, Dorcas Awiyo, then a 22-year-old mother of three, followed. Her husband, himself a fisherman, initially opposed the decision but later agreed after the family’s need for additional income became more urgent.“At first, my husband was not receptive to the idea, but later on allowed me,” she said.By 2022, when Janet Ndweyi joined the group, resistance had largely disappeared.

“I didn’t face any challenge or receive any warning when joining them because the community around was used to seeing Rhoda and Faith fishing,” Ndweyi said.Without a husband to support her and with fish trading becoming less profitable, fishing offered her a more stable income. She now uses her earnings to pay college fees for both of her children.

“Through fishing, I am able to cater for my household’s basic needs and also pay for children’s school fees that are in college,” she said.Economic necessity has been the strongest force behind the social shift.According to Wilson Onjolo, fisheries officer for Seme subcounty, boat owners at Kagwel Beach can earn between 6,000 and 8,000 Kenyan shillings ($46 to $62) on productive days. Crew members earn between 500 and 800 shillings ($3.88 to $6.20), while traders such as fishmongers may earn up to 1,000 shillings ($7.75).

That compares favourably with the roughly 500 shillings women like Akech earned daily when they relied solely on fish trading.Village elder Okedo said the economic pressure facing households has made communities more willing to reconsider long-held norms.“This is all because of economic hardships that the community is facing; it is pushing women to break the taboo,” he said.

Fisherman Dalmas Onyango said most male fishermen now support women entering the trade.“The majority of my fellow fishermen now support their decision to fish,” he said, adding that changing economic realities have made old restrictions less practical.At the same time, the lake itself is becoming less reliable.

Lake Victoria, which supports more than 42 million people for food, employment and drinking water, is under increasing pressure from overfishing, pollution, invasive species and climate change. Annual harvests remain around one million tonnes, but per capita catch rates have declined significantly.Akech said she has seen the change directly over the past two decades.

The amount of fish she catches today is noticeably lower than when she first entered the lake in 2002.Chris Mutai, senior meteorologist in charge of the Kisumu meteorological station, said rising water temperatures are contributing to the decline by encouraging algae growth and reducing oxygen levels in the lake.

“To reverse this, people should keep off riparian land to allow undergrowth that will serve as the breeding ground of fish, and avoid pollution of the lake that traps more heat than plain, clear water,” Mutai said.He warned that temperatures could rise by another 0.5 degrees Celsius over the next 10 to 20 years, reaching between 29.5C and 31C.

Without stronger environmental controls, including protection of riparian zones and regulated fishing, fish stocks are expected to continue falling.Weather forecasting has become increasingly important for fishing communities. Mutai’s office distributes five-day forecasts through WhatsApp groups and local government channels, helping fishermen and fisherwomen prepare for dangerous lake conditions.

Despite their success, Akech and her team still operate in a legal grey area.Susan Claire, acting director of fisheries and blue economy for Kisumu County, said women officially participate as boat owners and fish traders, but not as night fishermen or crew members.“We have women who own boats and women traders, but they are not involved in night fishing or as boat crew members,” Claire told Al Jazeera.

That leaves women like Akech without formal recognition or equal access to support available to male fishermen.However, Christopher Aura of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute said in 2023 that Lake Victoria had more than 47,000 fishermen, including 1,000 women, suggesting official county records may not fully reflect women’s participation.

Claire acknowledged that declining fish stocks remain a major concern and said the county is working with meteorological services and Beach Management Units to improve awareness, climate adaptation and enforcement against illegal fishing.For Akech, the debate is less about recognition than survival.She continues to leave before dawn with the same determination that first took her to the water more than two decades ago.

Some days the catch is poor, and the income barely covers the effort. On better days, it is enough to keep going.The lake has changed, but so has the community around it.

Efforts to expand digital literacy and inclusion in Côte d’Ivoire are gaining momentum as civil society organizations seek to address persistent gender gaps in access to technology and online opportunities, according to a United Nations-backed feature highlighting grassroots initiatives.

Aminata Savané, Vice-President of Centre Marée de Lumière, has been at the forefront of these efforts through a training initiative aimed at improving digital skills among women and young people. Despite widespread smartphone use in the country, she said many individuals lack the knowledge required to leverage digital platforms for economic and social advancement.

Since its launch in 2021, the organization’s Digital O’Féminin Tour programme has trained more than 600 women and 200 teenagers in areas including digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and online engagement. Participants have gone on to establish small businesses, develop content for digital platforms, or pursue further training, reflecting growing interest in the digital economy.

Savané said the challenge extends beyond access to technology, describing it as a broader issue of awareness and empowerment. While many users are active on social media platforms, particularly Facebook, they often lack the understanding needed to translate this activity into economic opportunities.“The challenge is the lack of information,” she said, noting that digital engagement remains largely limited to consumption rather than production or entrepreneurship.

“They scroll the internet but they don’t know that by creating an online activity they can make a profit.”The programme integrates technical training with leadership development, an approach Savané said is critical to overcoming social and psychological barriers. In addition to teaching digital skills, the initiative fosters peer support networks intended to encourage participation and confidence among women.

“We’re also creating a safe space, a sisterhood for these women because we’ve realized that, very often, they share the same reality,” she said. “You can impart all the knowledge in the world, but if you can’t activate what springs people into action, it won’t work.”The initiative was designed in response to disparities in digital access and usage between men and women in Côte d’Ivoire.

Savané said addressing these gaps requires challenging entrenched gender stereotypes as well as misconceptions that may limit women’s engagement with technology.Alongside efforts to promote inclusion, the programme also addresses risks associated with digital environments, particularly for younger users.

Savané highlighted concerns related to cybercrime and unsafe online practices, noting that digital literacy must include awareness of potential threats.As part of her broader advocacy work, she has collaborated with UNICEF and the Jeunes Blogueurs CI community to develop a guide on safe internet use for young people. The initiative aims to provide practical guidance on navigating digital spaces securely, reflecting growing concern over online safety in emerging digital ecosystems.

“When I was younger, I found myself in the middle of a digital world without any guidelines,” Savané said, adding that the guide was designed to help younger generations avoid similar challenges.Her work also includes advocacy for systemic change at the policy level. Savané has called for digital literacy to be incorporated into Côte d’Ivoire’s national education curriculum as a standalone subject.

She said such an approach should extend beyond basic computing skills to include online safety, data protection, digital identity, personal branding, and responsible use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.The proposal reflects a broader recognition among policymakers and international organizations that digital skills are increasingly essential for participation in modern economies.

Integrating these competencies into formal education systems is seen as a potential pathway to reducing inequality and supporting long-term economic development.Savané’s contributions have received international recognition. At the end of 2025, she was awarded at the Young Activists Summit held at the United Nations in Geneva, an event supported by a range of international organizations including UN Human Rights, UNESCO, and UNFPA, as well as civil society and private sector partners.

The initiative underscores the role of local organizations in addressing global challenges related to digital inclusion. While infrastructure and access to devices have improved in many regions, the case of Côte d’Ivoire highlights the importance of complementary investments in education, awareness, and capacity-building.

As digital technologies continue to reshape economic and social landscapes, efforts such as the Digital O’Féminin Tour illustrate how targeted interventions can help bridge gaps in participation. The focus on both skills and empowerment reflects an evolving approach to digital development, one that prioritizes not only access but also meaningful and safe engagement.

Women survivors of Nepal’s decade-long internal conflict are increasingly shaping the country’s transitional justice process, as advocacy efforts led by survivors push for accountability, legal reform, and recognition of conflict-related sexual violence.

The conflict between government forces and Maoist insurgents from 1996 to 2006 left at least 13,000 people dead and more than 1,300 missing, according to United Nations estimates. Women were among those most affected, facing arbitrary detention, torture, rape, forced displacement, and other violations, while also playing significant roles as combatants and political actors.

Devi Khadka, a former member of Nepal’s Constituent Assembly and a prominent women’s rights activist, is among those who have transformed personal trauma into sustained advocacy. Detained at the age of 17, she was tortured and subjected to gang rape by police who accused her of aiding her brother, a Maoist activist.

Reflecting on her experience, Khadka said a lack of understanding about trauma at the time shaped her response. “I didn’t understand why I suffered this,” she said, describing how she later joined the Maoist movement during a period marked by psychological distress and a desire to confront her circumstances.

Years later, the public disclosure of her rape by Maoist leaders compounded the trauma, exposing her to further harm and reinforcing the challenges faced by survivors in seeking dignity and privacy.The 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement formally ended the conflict and initiated Nepal’s transition toward democratic governance. Transitional justice mechanisms, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons, were established to investigate violations and promote reconciliation.

However, progress has been slow, and transitional justice remains one of the agreement’s unresolved commitments.Women survivors have faced systemic barriers in accessing justice, including stigma, social exclusion, and institutional limitations. Many lost family members who were primary earners, leaving them to assume economic responsibilities while also dealing with long-term psychological and physical impacts of violence.

Official data underscores the extent of underreporting. Of more than 63,000 complaints filed with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, only 314 were classified as cases of sexual violence prior to legal reforms in 2024. Analysts attribute this gap to fear of retaliation, social stigma, and a lack of trust in institutions.

In response, Khadka and a group of survivors established Aparajit, meaning “the Undefeated,” a network aimed at supporting victims and advocating for systemic change. The organization has facilitated access to medical and legal services while promoting collective action among survivors.Khadka said the initiative initially faced resistance and accusations of undermining national reputation.

However, support from media organizations helped bring visibility to the issue, enabling the movement to expand and gain broader recognition.Advocacy efforts have contributed to tangible legal reforms. In August 2024, Nepal amended its transitional justice law to address longstanding gaps in the treatment of sexual violence cases.

The revised legislation includes provisions to classify sexual violence more comprehensively, remove statutes of limitation, and ensure that serious crimes are not subject to sentence commutation.Khadka said previous legal definitions were inadequate, narrowly interpreting rape and excluding various forms of sexual violence. “We brought up almost 75 percent of cases where the victim herself doesn’t call it sexual violence, and society doesn’t either,” she said, highlighting the need for broader recognition of such crimes.

The amended law also reopened the process for filing complaints, allowing survivors who had previously been unable or unwilling to come forward to seek redress. These changes reflect a shift toward a more inclusive and survivor-centered approach, though implementation challenges remain.At the international level, Khadka and other survivors have engaged with United Nations platforms to advocate for reforms.

Speaking at a Human Rights Council panel in Geneva in September 2025, she emphasized the importance of including survivors in designing justice mechanisms.“Especially in the case of sexual violence… it should be done with the involvement of the survivors themselves,” she said, noting that legal frameworks often fail to capture the lived realities of victims.

UN Human Rights has supported Nepal’s transitional justice process through technical assistance, policy advice, and engagement with government institutions, civil society, and victims’ groups. The organization has emphasized the need for a victim-centered approach that aligns with international legal standards and addresses root causes of conflict.

Efforts also focus on integrating gender considerations into justice mechanisms. The UN’s Women’s Rights and Gender Section has worked to highlight issues such as gender-based violence and women’s participation in post-conflict governance, aiming to ensure that survivors’ experiences inform policy decisions.Khadka said international support has been critical in advancing reforms and amplifying survivor voices.

Representing more than 3,800 individuals in her network, she noted that access to global platforms has strengthened advocacy efforts and contributed to legislative progress.For many survivors, participation in these processes carries both practical and symbolic significance. Public testimony, particularly in the presence of state authorities, can serve as a form of recognition and validation, helping to restore dignity.

Khadka described this recognition as central to recovery. “If a person’s lived experience becomes untrue… then there is no meaning to a life,” she said, underscoring the role of acknowledgment in the pursuit of justice.Nepal’s experience reflects broader challenges in post-conflict societies, where balancing accountability, reconciliation, and institutional reform requires sustained political commitment and inclusive approaches.

The increasing involvement of women survivors in shaping policy marks a shift toward more participatory models of transitional justice.As reforms continue, the emphasis on survivor-led advocacy highlights the role of lived experience in addressing systemic gaps and advancing accountability within complex post-conflict environments.

Saudi Arabia is accelerating efforts to expand women’s participation in artificial intelligence through state-led reforms and private sector initiatives tied to Vision 2030, as officials and industry leaders point to rapid gains in training, workforce inclusion and investment in emerging technologies.

Government-backed programs and institutional reforms have supported a sharp rise in female participation in technical education and the labor market, with policymakers framing gender inclusion as central to economic diversification.

According to Areeb Alowisheq, vice president of AI research at Humain, the Kingdom has achieved the highest global female-to-male ratio in AI training, reflecting what she described as a long-term policy focus on education and workforce development.

Alowisheq said the current expansion builds on decades of public investment in education, including overseas scholarship programs. Since 2005, the King Abdullah Scholarship Program has funded more than 250,000 Saudi citizens to study abroad, contributing to a skilled workforce across science and engineering disciplines.

Domestic institutions have also played a central role. Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, described as the world’s largest women’s university, has produced graduates in science, technology, engineering and medicine for decades.

By 2017, female university graduates in Saudi Arabia outnumbered male graduates, according to Alowisheq.She linked these educational gains to structural reforms introduced under Vision 2030, launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The program set a target to increase women’s workforce participation from 22 percent to 30 percent, alongside regulatory changes aimed at reducing barriers to employment.

These measures included lifting the ban on women driving in 2017, introducing workplace anti-harassment laws and amending the Civil Status Law to allow women to manage businesses, travel independently and act as heads of households.

Female labor force participation exceeded 36 percent by 2025, surpassing the initial target ahead of schedule, according to data cited by Alowisheq.

Saudi authorities have paired these reforms with targeted investment in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. Government spending on emerging technologies rose by more than 56 percent in 2024, while AI-focused companies secured $9.1 billion in funding, reflecting increased activity across the sector.

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has played a central role in scaling training programs and institutional capacity. In collaboration with Google Cloud, it launched the Elevate Initiative in 2022, a five-year program aimed at training more than 25,000 women in emerging markets in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Saudi Arabia has also expanded its international engagement in the field. It became the first Arab country to join the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and hosts the UNESCO-backed International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics in Riyadh, positioning itself within global governance frameworks for emerging technologies.

Training volumes have increased sharply. According to the 2025 AI Index published by Stanford University, more than 666,000 women in Saudi Arabia received training in data and artificial intelligence within a single year. The report ranked the Kingdom first globally in women’s AI empowerment based on participation metrics.

Alowisheq said the scale of training is critical to building an ecosystem capable of supporting adoption and innovation. She described the expansion as creating a base of skilled users and professionals able to integrate artificial intelligence into economic activity

.Alowisheq, who has more than two decades of experience in the sector, said her own career path reflects changes in access and opportunity over time. After completing undergraduate studies in computer applications at King Saud University and pursuing graduate work focused on networking and distributed systems, she said early gaps in AI education motivated her to pursue the field independently.

She now leads initiatives focused on developing Arabic-language AI models, part of broader efforts to localize technology and expand regional capabilities. Within her organization, she said women and men work under equal expectations, reflecting changes in workplace participation following regulatory reforms.

Saudi Arabia’s push to expand women’s participation in artificial intelligence also addresses a broader global imbalance. Data from UNESCO and UN Women indicate that women account for about 22 percent of professional roles in the sector worldwide.Officials and industry participants have framed Saudi Arabia’s approach as a response to both domestic economic priorities and international benchmarks on gender inclusion.

By linking workforce reforms with sector-specific investment, policymakers aim to align labor market participation with growth in high-technology industries.

Alowisheq said the integration of women into the AI workforce reflects a convergence of economic and social policy objectives. She noted that expanding access to education, removing structural barriers and scaling training programs have contributed to measurable increases in participation across both public and private sectors.

The Kingdom’s strategy combines regulatory reform, education investment and international collaboration, with implementation led by government institutions and supported by private sector partnerships.

Officials have emphasized that workforce development remains central to sustaining growth in artificial intelligence and related industries.

In a world driven by rapid change, Saudi Arabia’s creative community is demonstrating that heritage is not a limitation but an inspiration.
Across industries — from jewelry to architecture and beauty — innovation is being redefined as an evolution of tradition rather than a departure from it.

At the heart of this movement are women innovators who are weaving cultural heritage into modern design. Their message is clear: the future of creativity lies in honoring the past while embracing the possibilities of tomorrow.

Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, founder of Nuun Jewels, captured this spirit at the Creative Women Forum. She emphasized that cultural roots give creativity its identity, while innovation gives it direction and strength.

Institutions like the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts, known as Wrth, are leading this transformation. Dedicated to merging preservation with progress, Wrth ensures that traditional arts form the foundation for modern education.

Suzan Alyahya, CEO of Wrth, highlighted the dynamic nature of Saudi heritage. “We see traditional arts as a moving, dynamic force, not a static remnant of the past,” she said, describing how students are encouraged to link identity with innovation.

Founded in 2021, Wrth’s programs empower citizens in crafts and design, supporting sustainable cultural growth. Courses range from pottery and Sadu weaving to master’s degrees in product development and digital heritage.

Technology, often seen as a rival to human creativity, is being reimagined as a partner in artistic expression. In Wrth’s philosophy, innovation through digital tools is not about replacing heritage but enhancing it.

Amal Abduljabbar, general manager of education and research, believes technology extends rather than threatens cultural authenticity. “Technology is not a threat to authenticity in any way. It’s an extension of our human story,” she explained.

She described how AI and virtual reality can protect and promote heritage. From monitoring historical sites to creating immersive storytelling experiences, digital tools amplify the emotional power of culture.

Abduljabbar added that identity itself evolves through values that must remain embedded in education and research. By nurturing these values, Saudi creatives are ensuring their innovations stay true to their roots while embracing modern perspectives.

Innovation also extends beyond education and technology into lifestyle and design sectors. The beauty industry, for instance, is showcasing how local inspiration can lead to global relevance.

Asteri Beauty, founded by Sara Alrashed, is pioneering products tailored to the region’s climate and culture. Her brand challenges global norms by crafting makeup suited for Arab women’s unique features and the desert environment.

“In the beauty industry, there is nothing that truly caters to Arab women, not just for their features, but also for the weather,” Alrashed said. Her approach merges scientific innovation with cultural storytelling, giving beauty a sense of place and identity.

These efforts show how Saudi entrepreneurs are turning tradition into a platform for sustainable creativity. Whether through design, craftsmanship, or technology, they are proving that cultural heritage remains the ultimate muse.

The broader consensus emerging from these creative voices is deeply optimistic. Authenticity is no longer viewed as an anchor holding innovation back but as a compass guiding it forward.

Saudi Arabia’s cultural evolution is reshaping global conversations about creativity and identity. By bridging the gap between past and future, the nation is crafting a model of progress that values memory as much as imagination.

The movement demonstrates that when innovation and heritage walk hand in hand, creativity becomes limitless. It is a future where every design, product, and idea carries the essence of culture — alive, dynamic, and endlessly inspiring.

India’s third most populous state and also one of its poorest, Bihar is ruled by Modi’s National Democratic Alliance and is scheduled to hold an election to its state assembly in the coming weeks.

Women voters have turned out in greater numbers in the past decade, reversing a trend of men easily outnumbering women at the polls, and political parties have competed to attract them.

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party lost its outright majority in the federal parliament in last year’s national election, forcing him to rely on support from regional allies to form a government after facing a resurgent opposition, and he is currently navigating one of the most challenging stretches of his 11 years in office.

Addressing women gathered in multiple locations in the state, Modi said via video link: “I see millions of women on the screen, and their blessings are a great source of strength for all of us.

“The (women’s employment plan) is being launched today. So far, 7.5 million women have joined this scheme, and an amount of 10,000 rupees has been transferred to the bank accounts of all these women,” he said.

The plan is envisaged as giving support to women to enable their employment in small-scale ventures such as agriculture, handicrafts and other sectors, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Beneficiaries can also avail of additional financial support of up to 200,000 rupees in subsequent phases of the plan.

Modi’s ruling NDA will face the opposition Congress and its allies in Bihar, which is considered a bellwether state, along with neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and the western state of Maharashtra. ($1 = 88.7080 Indian rupees)