Manama: Princess Lulwa Al Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz, who has dedicated her life to improving the welfare of women in Saudi Arabia, especially in the field of education, is one of the three women appointed by Saudi Arabia’s cabinet to the newly formed Family Affairs Council tasked with enhancing the position and role of family in the advancement of society.
Princess Lulwa, Lana Saeed and Raja Bahadhiq will sit for a renewable three-year term on the council officially launched on Sunday, Saudi news site Al Marsad reported.
The council, a significant breakthrough for women and families, is chaired by the labour and social development minister and is based in the capital Riyadh.
Its 14 members represent the ministries of interior, National Guard, Islamic affairs, justice, labour and social development, economy and planning, health, culture, and information and education.
In its drive to enhance the status of the family and its role in society, the council is given the necessary powers and competencies to draft a family strategy in coordination with the relevant authorities, follow up its implementation and evaluate it on a regular basis.
The council also coordinates among public departments and non-governmental organisations with links to family work in order to create a common vision for the family and ensure they are assuming their responsibilities and working diligently on achieving their objectives.
Increasing awareness about family matters and ways to address them are among the top objectives of the council.
Members are also tasked with encouraging greater interest by society in family issues and in solving them.
The council will provide views and opinions on reports, studies, queries and recommendations prepared by regional and international organisations and groups about activities related to families in Saudi Arabia.
Among the tasks of the council are proposals on family-related legislation, the preparation of a database on family affairs, cooperation with regional and international organisations concerned with family affairs, and participation in conferences and symposiums on family issues.
The council will also work closely with local and international think tanks to conduct research and studies on family matters.
