Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — For the first time in its history, Saudi women employees have assumed positions in the Ministry of Justice in five main areas of work.

The ministry said the women were employed as researchers in law, sociology and Shariah as well as administrative assistants and computer program developers.

Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani last year said the ministry was planning to employ Saudi women among its cadre.

The ministry’s women’s department has prepared a comprehensive training program for the new recruits so as to further qualify them.

Fatima Al-Shiraim, director of the department, said the training programs targeted those working in the courts and notaries public within the ministry’s drive to empower women and make them take over jobs that were hitherto dominated by men.

She said the trainees consisted of women employees in the reception, information and appointment desks, reconciliation departments in the family courts, documentation and others.

Al-Shariam explained that the training courses were organized by the Judicial Training Center in Riyadh.