Riyadh: Amidst the major national transformations taking place in the Kingdom, Saudi women have emerged as key partners in development and influential players in the non-profit sector. This shift is driven by an ambitious vision that is reshaping society, opening up vast opportunities for volunteer work, social innovation, and empowering vulnerable groups.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, Vision 2030 has resonated with the passion of Saudi women, resulting in a growing presence in leadership positions, an expansion of their professional roles, and a qualitative shift in the initiatives they lead, making them a pivotal element in building a cohesive and sustainable society.
The non-profit sector in the Kingdom has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, driven by national transformation programs and direct support from the leadership. The National Center for Non-Profit Sector's report for 2025 highlights a more than 341% increase in the number of non-profit organizations, reaching 7,200. Specialized organizations supporting national priorities have increased significantly, representing 96.8% of the sector. The sector's contribution to the GDP now stands at 1.40%, with a workforce expansion to 141,432 employees.
Volunteering has also seen a substantial operational shift, with the number of volunteers surpassing 1.7 million. The economic value of volunteering per individual rose significantly, and available volunteer opportunities increased to 552,000. Total volunteer hours exceeded 80 million. Efficiency in directing resources improved, with development spending within the sector rising to SAR6.1 billion, reflecting efforts in governance and transparency.
Dr. Firdous Jibril Falatah, Executive Director of the Learning Disabilities Association, emphasized that this growth has directly impacted women's participation, making it an integral part of development work across leadership, implementation, and volunteering. Women's initiatives now encompass diverse areas such as education, disability support, and economic empowerment.
Princess Noura bint Mohammed bin Saud, Chair of the Women's Committee for Community Development in Riyadh Region, affirmed that the state's strategic principle of focusing on women has transformed their role from welfare beneficiaries to significant contributors in guiding the sector towards sustainability. Women's participation has notably directed the course of endowments to effectively support the national product.
Data from the National Observatory for Women shows that the women's participation in development index reached 73 points in 2023, with a notable increase in economic and social pillars. Specialized organizations supporting development priorities have created an environment where women can assume greater leadership roles.
King Saud University Advisor Dr. Malak Yahya Qattan noted that Saudi women have moved from implementation roles to leadership, planning, and decision-making roles within associations, charitable organizations, and endowment entities. Dr. Sanaa Mohsen Al-Otaibi highlighted that 2025 marked a qualitative leap in the empowerment of Saudi women, with increased participation in the labor market and leadership roles.
Women's roles in the non-profit sector have expanded beyond traditional volunteer work to include managing development projects and designing community programs. Data indicates that 30,000 workers in the sector have been trained, with a significant percentage being women, enhancing their readiness for advanced roles.
Women's contribution to the non-profit sector has significantly raised the quality of life, with initiatives focused on empowering vulnerable groups and promoting health awareness. The sector contributed 0.99% to the GDP in 2024, moving steadily towards the 5% goal set for 2030.
Dr. Wafaa Hamad Al-Tuwaijri noted that measuring the impact of women's participation is crucial for developing their role, with a new index assessing contributions across various pillars. The rapid sector growth and the number of civil entities highlight the qualitative expansion in development work.
Digital transformation, led by women, has become a fundamental element in the non-profit sector's development. Women have distinguished themselves by developing digital platforms and using artificial intelligence to analyze community needs.
The National Center for Non-Profit Sector established local and international partnerships, with women playing a pivotal role in leading these initiatives. Dr. Al-Otaibi noted the Kingdom's advanced ranking in the World Bank's Women, Business and the Law 2026 report and improvements in the gender gap index.
Dr. Najah Al-Qaraawi emphasized the relationship between universities and the non-profit sector, highlighting community service as a strategic function of universities. Sustainable community partnership agreements have been forged to utilize academic and research capabilities for the sector's goals.
Dr. Falatah affirmed that the Kingdom is rich with inspiring female role models leading societal change across various fields. These experiences have become part of an integrated national system contributing to sustainable development.
National indicators show that Saudi women are moving towards a deeper role in the non-profit sector, supported by empowerment programs and growth in organizational opportunities. The coming years are expected to witness an increase in women in senior leadership and greater contributions to the national economy. Dr. Al-Otaibi and Dr. Qattan emphasized the role of women in improving quality of life and predicted a transition to impactful leadership in the future.