International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the women shaping societies, industries, and culture across the world. In Saudi Arabia, the past decade has marked a historic transformation as women have taken increasingly visible roles in public life, leadership, entrepreneurship, sports, and the arts.

Across the Kingdom, Saudi women are building companies, climbing the world’s highest mountains, performing on global stages, advancing medical research, and redefining cultural expression. Their achievements reflect both personal determination and the broader transformation taking place in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030.

Top Women in Sports

Mona Shahab

A Saudi mountaineer who completed the Seven Summits challenge, climbing the highest mountain on every continent. By joining the elite global group of climbers who have achieved this feat, Shahab became one of the few Saudi athletes to accomplish one of the most demanding achievements in adventure sports, inspiring greater participation of Saudi women in mountaineering.

Dania Akeel

One of Saudi Arabia’s most successful rally drivers and a Dakar Rally competitor. Akeel made history by becoming the first Saudi woman to win the FIA Middle East Baja Cup in the T3 category, a major international rally championship. Her victories have positioned her among the most prominent motorsport athletes representing the Kingdom globally.

Sharifa AlSudairi

Saudi Arabia’s first alpine ski racer, Sharifa AlSudairi competes internationally and is helping introduce winter sports to a desert nation. Her work in ski racing has made her a pioneering figure for Saudi athletes entering global winter sports competitions.

Dunia Abu Taleb

A Saudi taekwondo athlete who made history as the first Saudi woman to win a medal at the Asian Games in taekwondo. Her achievement marked a major milestone for Saudi women in combat sports and positioned her among the Kingdom’s most accomplished martial artists.

Reema Juffali

The first Saudi female professional racing driver, Juffali began competing internationally shortly after women were allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia in 2018. She has raced in multiple international series, including Formula 4 and GT racing, and founded Theeba Motorsport to support the development of young Saudi racing talent.

Top Women in Healthcare

Dr. Lina Ahmad Awwad

Consultant Plastic, Aesthetic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgeon
A leading Saudi surgeon known for her expertise in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Dr. Awwad represents a new generation of Saudi medical specialists advancing surgical excellence and patient care in the Kingdom.

Dr. Hayat Sindi

Saudi Biotechnologist and Global Health Innovator
Dr. Sindi is internationally recognized for advancing accessible diagnostic technologies and supporting innovation ecosystems in biotechnology. Her work has helped position Saudi scientists within the global biotech community.

Dr. Khawla Al-Kuraya

Physician-Scientist and Cancer Genomics Pioneer
A globally respected Saudi researcher, Dr. Al-Kuraya has played a major role in advancing cancer genomics and molecular oncology, helping place Saudi Arabia on the map in international cancer research.

Dr. Samia Al-Amoudi

Physician and Breast Cancer Awareness Advocate
A breast cancer survivor and physician, Dr. Al-Amoudi has transformed public awareness of breast cancer in Saudi Arabia. Her advocacy has played a critical role in encouraging early detection and open discussion around women’s health.

Dr. Selwa Al-Hazzaa

Pioneering Saudi Ophthalmologist and Medical Leader
One of the most respected figures in Saudi medicine, Dr. Al-Hazzaa has dedicated decades to advancing ophthalmology and healthcare development in the Kingdom while mentoring generations of medical professionals.

Top Female Founders

Rawan Alsahsah

Founder of RIS Group, a Saudi interior design company known for shaping modern hospitality and commercial spaces across the Kingdom. She has recently expanded her global presence through a 2025 collaboration with the F1 Academy and American Express, bringing Saudi creativity to the international stage.

Latifa AlRasheed

Latifa AlRasheed co-founded Gathern, a Saudi hospitality platform transforming the travel and accommodation experience through digital innovation. Her leadership has helped build one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing travel technology companies.

Mounira Jamjoom

A Saudi entrepreneur and education innovator, Mounira Jamjoom is the founder of Aanaab, a platform focused on professional development for educators across the Arab world. Through her work, she has helped advance digital learning, teacher training, and education innovation in the region.

Sara Alrashed

A Saudi entrepreneur and beauty industry innovator, Sara Alrashed is the founder of Asteri Beauty, a makeup brand created specifically for hot and humid climates. Through Asteri, she has helped position Saudi Arabia as a rising hub for globally competitive beauty brands.

Shahad Geoffrey

Shahad Geoffrey turned a shopping struggle into TAFFI, an AI stylist reshaping how the Gulf shops with smart tech and cultural insight.

Top Women in Entertainment

Rateel Alshehri

At just 14 years old, Rateel Alshehri has already become one of the youngest rising figures in Saudi entertainment. She won Favourite Female Influencer at the Joy Awards 2026 and earlier launched Rateel Alpha Talk at age 12, a talk-style podcast designed around the curiosity and perspectives of Gen Alpha audiences.

Modhi “Madv” Alkanhal

Known online as Madv, Modhi Alkanhal built her reputation through gaming and esports content, becoming one of the recognizable Saudi female voices in the region’s rapidly growing gaming and streaming community.

Tamaraah Al-Gabbani

Tamaraah Al-Gabbani is widely recognized for her influence in modern modest fashion and entertainment. She made history as the first Arab woman to be named “Best Dressed” at the Cannes Film Festival while wearing her own design, highlighting Saudi creativity on a global stage.

Linda Al Faisal

Linda Al Faisal gained attention as one of the youngest Saudi podcast hosts, building a strong following through The Linda Podcast, where she explores culture, personal growth, and conversations related to Saudi Arabia’s evolving social landscape and Vision 2030.

Abeer Sinder

Abeer Sinder is widely recognized as the first Black Saudi influencer to gain major prominence, using her platform to promote beauty, diversity, and representation while building a strong presence in fashion and lifestyle media.

Top Fashion Designers

Reem Alkanhal

Reem Alkanhal stands out for turning Saudi cultural references into clean, contemporary silhouettes, building a Saudi label with an international-facing aesthetic. Her work has been formally recognized in the Kingdom, including an honor in fashion design at the Arab Women Awards (KSA).

Tamara AbuKhadra

Tamara Abukhadra is influential because she didn’t just follow fashion, she built infrastructure for it. Through Homegrown Market, she created one of Saudi Arabia’s most important retail platforms for discovering and supporting regional designers, earning recognition from global fashion circles (including BoF’s community).

Honayda Serafi

Honayda Serafi is known for elevating Saudi modest luxury onto global retail stages. She made history by becoming the first Saudi woman designer featured at Saks Fifth Avenue, positioning Saudi design talent in one of the world’s most competitive luxury spaces.

Tima Abid

Tima Abid is included for her couture craftsmanship and for representing Saudi design on global high-fashion stages, including showcasing during Paris Haute Couture Week. Her work is known for a glamorous, couture-forward approach rooted in Saudi heritage.

Razan Alazzouni

Razan Alazzouni stands out for her refined red-carpet aesthetic, marked by sculptural silhouettes and intricate embellishment, and for dressing international celebrities (including names like Paris Hilton and Emma Roberts). She has also collaborated on high-profile creative projects, reflecting the global reach of Saudi fashion talent.

Top Female Artists

Princess Reem Al Faisal

Princess Reem Al Faisal is a defining figure in Saudi photography, known for landmark work documenting faith, heritage, and the Muslim world, including being among the first women to document Hajj, and for founding The Empty Quarter Gallery, one of the Gulf’s first photography-dedicated galleries.

Heba Ismail

Heba Ismail stands out for creating her own visual language (“Hebaism”), bold, geometric portraits that carry cultural memory, and for pioneering Saudi presence in NFTs through her Hebaism NFT series, bridging physical painting with digital collection.

Manal Al Dowayan

Manal Al Dowayan is included for work that turns art into cultural dialogue, spotlighting Saudi women’s lived realities (notably through her “I Am” series) and using participatory, audience-engaging approaches to explore identity, language, and heritage.

Hamidah Hamadah

Hamidah Hamadah (Meeda) earns her place for milestone international achievement, winning Silver at the 19th Japan International MANGA Award for Quarter-Life Crisis, and for storytelling that reflects Saudi culture while resonating globally.

Gaida AlMogren

Gaida AlMogren is shaping Saudi visual culture at the city scale as Artistic Director of Noor Riyadh, turning Riyadh into an open-air art experience, while also building cultural documentation through her research-based platform Cultural Crossroads.

A New Generation Shaping the Kingdom

Across sports, medicine, entrepreneurship, entertainment, fashion, and the arts, Saudi women are shaping the Kingdom’s present and future. Their achievements reflect the depth of talent emerging across the country and the expanding opportunities available to women today. As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation, these women stand as examples of leadership, creativity, and ambition, contributing not only to their industries but to the broader cultural and economic story of the Kingdom.

Happy International Women’s Day to the women leading, creating, and inspiring across Saudi Arabia!