Saudi women are all set to flood the corporate world soon...
Discrimination against woman in a theocratic nation state is not a new phenomenon. And Saudi Arabia is not an exception. Saudi women still remain underprivileged, oppressed and discriminated. But things are changing in the country, as after long criticism and attack, initiatives are being taken by interest groups, non-governmental organisations and most importantly Government to improve the status of women. The changes can easily be felt.
Firstly, Saudi Arabia has had a long tradition of large family-owned
business. There are over 460 large business houses having significant asset value in the country. Interestingly, most of them are controlled by women- a trend which is forcing companies to engage more women into the workplace. Researches show that there are 20,000 firms which account for around five per cent of all registered businesses today in Saudi Arabia, controlled or owned by businesswomen. Interestingly, membership of women in local commerce chambers is on the rise. For example, Jeddah Chamber has 2,000 women members out of a total of 50,000. The same can be seen in Riyadh where there are 2,400 women members out of 35,000 — showing a fourfold increase in just ten years. Business-women in the Eastern Province chamber has increased to 1,000 (out of 14,000). This gradual emergence of Saudi businesswomen forced the Government to revise its years-old labour laws and business proceedings and include women too. Many chambers also came out with centres to facilitate women. Jeddah Chamber of Commerce established Khadija Bint Khwailid Centre to guide and facilitate Saudi businesswomen.
Women account for 55 per cent of Saudi graduates; while surprisingly, they constitute only 4.8 per cent of the workforce. Strangely, merely 5.5 per cent of the estimated 4.7 million women of working age are employed. However, Saudi Government is not sitting idly. It has allocated lands for industrial projects to employ women. It has planned to establish industrial training institute for women in Jeddah. It has formed a national human rights commission to protect and promote the rights of women. One of the significant achievements has been women’s participation in the National Dialogue. In the 3rd National Dialogue where 70 male and female researchers gathered — the meeting for the first time in history lifted the taboo that existed between male and female in public discussions. Moreover, King Abdullah assigned his daughter, Princess Adelah to spearhead initiatives to engage and encourage Saudi women in workplace, schools and hospitals. Women’s participation in education clubbed with the revolution of the internet has helped them to unite and share their thoughts.
All in all, progress is witnessed both in terms of taking initiatives as well as engaging women into workplace but there is still lot to be done. It’s just a matter of time when women enjoys the same status as men in Saudi Arabia without discrimination, tyranny and oppression.
Discrimination against woman in a theocratic nation state is not a new phenomenon. And Saudi Arabia is not an exception. Saudi women still remain underprivileged, oppressed and discriminated. But things are changing in the country, as after long criticism and attack, initiatives are being taken by interest groups, non-governmental organisations and most importantly Government to improve the status of women. The changes can easily be felt.
Firstly, Saudi Arabia has had a long tradition of large family-owned
business. There are over 460 large business houses having significant asset value in the country. Interestingly, most of them are controlled by women- a trend which is forcing companies to engage more women into the workplace. Researches show that there are 20,000 firms which account for around five per cent of all registered businesses today in Saudi Arabia, controlled or owned by businesswomen. Interestingly, membership of women in local commerce chambers is on the rise. For example, Jeddah Chamber has 2,000 women members out of a total of 50,000. The same can be seen in Riyadh where there are 2,400 women members out of 35,000 — showing a fourfold increase in just ten years. Business-women in the Eastern Province chamber has increased to 1,000 (out of 14,000). This gradual emergence of Saudi businesswomen forced the Government to revise its years-old labour laws and business proceedings and include women too. Many chambers also came out with centres to facilitate women. Jeddah Chamber of Commerce established Khadija Bint Khwailid Centre to guide and facilitate Saudi businesswomen.Women account for 55 per cent of Saudi graduates; while surprisingly, they constitute only 4.8 per cent of the workforce. Strangely, merely 5.5 per cent of the estimated 4.7 million women of working age are employed. However, Saudi Government is not sitting idly. It has allocated lands for industrial projects to employ women. It has planned to establish industrial training institute for women in Jeddah. It has formed a national human rights commission to protect and promote the rights of women. One of the significant achievements has been women’s participation in the National Dialogue. In the 3rd National Dialogue where 70 male and female researchers gathered — the meeting for the first time in history lifted the taboo that existed between male and female in public discussions. Moreover, King Abdullah assigned his daughter, Princess Adelah to spearhead initiatives to engage and encourage Saudi women in workplace, schools and hospitals. Women’s participation in education clubbed with the revolution of the internet has helped them to unite and share their thoughts.
All in all, progress is witnessed both in terms of taking initiatives as well as engaging women into workplace but there is still lot to be done. It’s just a matter of time when women enjoys the same status as men in Saudi Arabia without discrimination, tyranny and oppression.
