Saudi Arabia: One of the most conservative societies in terms of women development in the noted history of human existence. The country has traditionally been one of the slowest, when it comes to the opportunities for women to work outside the house.
However in recent years, the government of Saudi Arabia has taken necessary steps to elevate the women of the country. They have put forth all the required tools and accessibilities for the growth and development of every woman out there.
In this article, we will delve into the current, ancient as well as the future conditions of women in Saudi Arabia. We will take a closer look at the emergence of Saudi women in business and the changing role of women in the Kingdom’s workforce.
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History of Women Employment in Saudi Arabia
Before countering the current situations of women development in the current, taking a look at the history of women employment can be really helpful. In the past, Saudi Arabia’s society was strictly segregated on gender basis, and there were no opportunities for women employment in any field whatsoever.
But with passing time and revolutionization of society, the government has been more prone to induct females for a number of job roles out there. In 2011, the government initiated a scheme to diversify the economy of Saudi Arabia, and reduce their dependence on oil only. This has created new openings for learning and women employment in the sector.
In 2018, the most significant step towards women development has also been taken by the upliftment of the ban on women driving in the country. This has elevated women empowerment in the country, and has made women more capable in every manner.
Current Status of Women in Saudi Arabia
With all these initiatives in the country, the women employment in Saudi Arabia has been increasing rapidly. According to the data of the General Authority of Statistics, women involvement in the economy has increased from 16.7% in 2017 to 31.4% in 2021, which is a little less as compared to other countries of the world, but is a big deal for Saudi Arabia.
One of the most developed sectors with women involvement in Saudi Arabia is the tech industries. The government has been heavily investing in the tech support of the country, providing new job opportunities for women out there. In fact, the tech industry consists of almost 34% of its employees as women, which surely is a significant number.
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Currently, the growth of women in the country is steady, and there are some companies too that prohibit this new induction in their firms. But sooner or later, they will also realise the need to induct this new tradition, and to find the best for their company out of any gender.
Sabotages in Women Development in Saudi Arabia
Now after knowing the history and the current situation of women employment in Saudi Arabia, knowing their challenges and the efforts to preserve their identity is a must to know too.
Despite all these progresses, Saudi’s women still face difficulties when it comes to working in businesses. The gender segregation and strict laws on the wearings are being one of the most oppressing factors of Saudi’s traditions and business. Many businesses have separated the women and men working areas to keep the ancient trend intact. This can make it difficult for women to interact with their male colleagues and can limit their opportunities for career advancement.
Another major challenge faced by the women of Saudi Arabia is the lack of support for working mothers. There are no policies regarding the working mothers that can support them with their conditions. Making it difficult to manage their work-life balance.
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The last but not the least challenge faced by the women of Saudi Arabia is the lack of support from their families to work outside. There are still people with the traditional mindset, who will never agree on the fact to let their women work outside.
This has been the biggest roadblock in the journey of women’s development in Saudi Arabia, as there will be no use of any policies if the families themselves will not be ready to go for it.
Conclusion
The condition of women in Saudi Arabia is still critical. The most devastating factor is the traditional mind, which will not stabilise that easily. It will take years, or even centuries to develop an equal society for both men and women in Saudi Arabia.
But let’s hope for the best for all the women out there who seek their independence, and want to be treated equally as men out there.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Social and cultural barriers, limited opportunities for growth and advancement, and a lack of support and resources for women entrepreneurs are some of the major challenges to women’s growth in Saudi Arabia.
Women have surfaced with influential support to all the tech-related job roles in Saudi Arabia. They are emerging as a great asset for all the futuristic ideas for the nation’s development and progress.
Lubna Olayan, the CEO of the Olayan Financing Company, is one of the most influential businesswomen in the Middle East and has made significant contributions to the Saudi economy.
Women are expected to play a great role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia in a very different manner. They can be an interesting turn for all the conservative nomads of the country and can take the country to greater heights.