Another woman has risen to the top in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi businesswoman Hind Al-Zahid has been hired as the first woman to be an executive director of the Dammam Airport. Although she's new to this role, Zahid is no stranger to taking on leadership roles.
Since 2009, she has been the head of the Businesswomen Center at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Zahid also served as the executive director of the Women Economic Forum, and has been listed by Forbes as one the most influential women.
Zahid has a history of challenging the patriarchy
Zahid has lamented the high level of unemployment among Saudi woman as "wasted manpower" in the past.
In her career, Zahid has been a powerful advocate for women getting involved in the kingdom's workforce and entrepreneurship.
"Our vision is to guide all businesswomen in the region. Pioneers, new entrepreneurs, small businesses, even job seekers," she said in a 2009 interview with Arab News about her role leading the Businesswomen Center.
Women are taking the lead throughout the kingdom
In February, >three Saudi women took over top financial posts in Saudi Arabia.
Sarah Al Suhaimi was appointed as head of the Saudi stock exchange, making international headlines as the first woman to ever chair Tadawul. Rania Mahmoud Nashar was named as the CEO of Samba Financial Group, one of the region's largest and highest acclaimed financial groups. And Latifa Al-Sabhan was appointed as chief financial officer of Arab National Bank, one of the top ten largest in the Middle East.
>Increasing women's participation in business and education is a key part of the Vision 2030 plan championed by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Although women serve in powerful government roles and take the lead in many businesses, the kingdom is infamously the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. The male guardianship system has also been seen as a hindrance to women's progress,> but a royal decree from King Salman earlier this month suggests the patriarchal systems' days are numbered.
Saudi women have already made significant gains in recent years. In 2015, women were granted the right to vote and to participate in municipal elections. Some 18 women won in elections across the kingdom that same year, as Saudi women cast their ballots for the first time in modern history.
Taking on leadership roles in the kingdom serves as a positive step forward for Saudi women.