The event was attended by Consul General Thomas Duffy and his wife Anne, and other American officials interested in media challenges and freedom of speech.

Among the participants was Sana Mumina, general manager of the Saudi children's channel Ajyal. Mumina, the first woman to hold this position in the Kingdom, spoke about the challenges she encountered when she first joined the media sector in Riyadh 28 years ago.

“Women like (us) actually paved the way for young women journalists to come. We now see more women seeking to join the media,” she told the crowd.

Mumina, who pointed out that women in the media do not receive much recognition locally, said that she did not want to move to another privately owned media establishment despite the offers she received.

“I have a message that I want to convey: We have been gradually doing something for women,” she said. “We have educated them through TV to take care of their health and children.”

The absence of recognition during the past years made her “feel sorry” for herself, Mumina added.

Radio broadcaster Samar Fatany spoke about the different experiences of women who have worked in the media in Jeddah compared to other regions. She said foreign women were already in media establishments and that Saudi women were encouraged to join. Fatany stressed that women and young people need to play a better role in advancing social development.

The women also talked about new media and its role in making young people bolder.

Other Saudi women who attended the event were: Fadwa Al-Tayat, a broadcaster from Saudi television who is also a social activist and an ambassador for the Arab Organization for Traffic Safety, Manal Al-Shareef, who works as a producer at Alif Alif radio station, and Fatmah Al-Hawasawi, an education consultant.