Sayidaty Magazine: Empowering Women for Four Decades
In a recent interview on The Mayman Show by Arab News, Sayidaty magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Lama Al-Shethry, emphasized the critical role the publication has played in empowering women for over four decades.
Al-Shethry, who also heads Al Jamila magazine and is a board member of the Saudi Journalists Association, highlighted Sayidaty’s impact on various eras in empowering women.
Championing Women’s Rights
Fifteen years ago, Sayidaty spearheaded a campaign against under-age marriage, which successfully prevented five such marriages in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Yemen. The campaign involved key opinion leaders, authors, intellectuals, and royal members.
Supporting Young Talent
This year, Sayidaty is championing local productions like the film “Noura,” featuring the talented 17-year-old Maria Bahrawi. The movie marked the first Saudi film to participate in Cannes, showcasing Sayidaty’s commitment to empowering women through different mediums.
Digital Empowerment and Innovation
Al-Shethry’s efforts in creating digital content in Arabic led Sayidaty to be recognized as one of the top-five most-visited sites in the Middle East and North Africa by Forbes in 2021. She co-founded Bintnet Network, the first Arabic online magazine focusing on female-centered lifestyle content.
Embracing Change and Growth
Despite entering the digital space without a clear business plan, Al-Shethry’s endeavors proved to be successful, adapting to the evolving landscape of journalism, including the rise of social media.
Leading the Way in Journalism
Al-Shethry’s election to the board of the Saudi Journalists Association, alongside prominent figures like Chairman Adhwan Al-Ahmari and Vice Chairman Faisal J. Abbas, signifies a new era for journalism in Saudi Arabia. With a strong foundation laid by predecessors, Al-Shethry looks forward to the industry’s promising future.