Publication of SDG5 report
King Salman International University (KSIU) fosters gender equality by implementing policies that promote equal opportunities for all genders. The university supports women in STEM fields through mentorship programs and scholarships. KSIU publishes yearly reports about SDG 5; the current report is given here.
Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering All Women and Girls
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but also a necessary foundation for peace, prosperity, and sustainability in the world.
Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity as a whole.
As of 2014, 143 countries have guaranteed equality between men and women in their constitutions, but 52 countries have yet to take this step.
In many regions, gender discrimination remains entrenched in legal systems and social norms.
Although SDG 5 is a stand-alone goal, achieving all other SDGs depends on addressing the needs of women and girls equally.
Key issues affecting women include:
Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Traditional practices such as forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Achieving gender equality requires:
Enforceable legislation promoting the empowerment of all women and girls.
Ensuring secondary education for all girls.
The Sustainable Development Goals emphasize the importance of listening to girls and involving them as agents of change, rather than just beneficiaries. Their priorities and needs must be integrated into the implementation of the SDGs.
Scientific Research
According to Scival databases (2021-2024), the university produced 2 research papers on gender equality, with an impact factor of 0.52 and 4 reference citations.
The university encourages international research publications to advance the goal of gender equality.
University Programs to Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls
Eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls is a fundamental human right and a critical factor in accelerating sustainable development. The university promotes greater gender equality through:
Fair Hiring Practices:
Announcing job opportunities on the university website.
Forming committees to evaluate applicants fairly, without discrimination.
Leadership Opportunities:
Women hold leadership positions in both academic and administrative roles.
Scholarships and Admissions:
Ensuring gender equality in scholarships.
Adopting non-gender-based admission methods, resulting in 36.3% female enrollment in higher education during the 2022/2023 academic year.
Job Opportunities for Women:
Providing employment for women across all departments and centers.
Assigning tasks based on competence and skills, regardless of gender.
Inclusive Workshops and Seminars:
Ensuring the participation of both genders in internal and external events, including faculty, administration, and students.
Representation in Governance:
Female faculty members are appointed to boards such as the Board of Trustees and the University Council.
Women hold senior positions in the university.
Health and Awareness Initiatives
Conducting awareness seminars on early detection of stromal tumors, with free periodic examinations.
Organizing workshops on medical emergencies, focusing on life-saving support.
Launching awareness campaigns on diabetes, titled (Your habits change your life – your examination now means safety).
Participating in awareness campaigns for patients with heart muscle weakness, in cooperation with the General Authority for Health Care.