Saudi Arabia has been ranked 46 out of 176 countries on the Mother Index Ranking 2013, which incorporates data on women’s health, children’s health, education, economic well-being and political participation.

The report has prompted many Saudi women to call on government and civil society to do more to help develop women in the Kingdom.

The best country in the world to be a mother is Finland, according to the 14th index report released on Mother's Day by Save the Children International.

According to Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children International, the report shows which countries are succeeding — and which are failing — in saving the lives of mothers and their newborn.

Finland ranked first followed by Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Belgium and Germany.

Saudi Arabia has recently seen cases where women and children have been the victims of medical errors. In addition, there have been many reported cases of abuse against women and children.

In terms of the job market, the Ministry of Labor (MoL) has recently introduced several programs to provide jobs for women. However, despite the extra effort by MoL since 2009, there are still many more unemployed women than men.

According to statistics issued by MoL in 2009, there were 505,000 employed Saudi women, compared to 647,000 in 2012. Adel Fakeih, the labor minister, stressed the need to hire more Saudi women because women form 85 percent of the unemployed in Saudi Arabia.

A Saudi activist for children and women’s rights and member of the National Society for Human Rights’ executive board, Suhaila Zain Al-Abideen, said it was very frustrating to see the Kingdom ranked so low.

“We are the country of Islam, and based on Islamic rules women should receive special treatment and get priority in education, work and health issues,” she said.

Saudi women are now getting greater opportunities in education. A report issued by the Ministry of Higher Education indicated that more than 300 higher education colleges exist for women in Saudi Arabia. Women also represent more than 56.6 percent of the total number of Saudi university students and more than 20 percent of those benefiting from the overseas scholarship program in 2010.

Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, dean of Effat University, said Saudi Arabia has to aim higher. “We are moving in the right direction, what we need is to strengthen our steps and make it faster in all fields,” she said.

Asked whether she is satisfied with the current situation of Saudi women in health, education, the economy and politics, she said that Saudi women need more development.

“There is no doubt that we are witnessing extra efforts from the government in order to create a better environment for women. These efforts will push us up the rankings in all fields,” she said.