“Opportunities to Build Their Future”

Saudi Arabia is looking to expand its private sector with the help of women. In addition to the end of the ban on women driving, women can now open their own businesses without the consent of their husband or other male relative. (Straits Times, 2018) According to the Ministry of Commerce website, “Women can now launch their own businesses and benefit from (governmental) e-services without having to prove consent form a guardian.” (Straits Times, 2018) Under the old guardianship system a woman could not travel, drive, enroll in classes, or participate in business without the permission of a male relative. (Straits Times, 2018) But Saudi Arabia is looking to expand its economy outside of crude oil, particularly in the private sector, and they need the help of capable women. (Straits Times, 2018)

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32 year old heir to the Saudi throne, has promised to be more moderate. He is working on expanding opportunities in the workforce to women. He also knows that this could attract foreign investors to the private sector, which will mean good things for the Saudi economy. (Straits Times, 2018) Saudi Arabia is putting a program in place to help women transition into the workforce. Vision 2030 is a reform program that will help increase labor participation rates among women from 22% to one third. (Straits Times, 2018) Minister of Labor and Social Development, Dr. Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis said, “Saudi Women are an important element of our strength. We will continue to develop talents and invest their energies to enable them to obtain appropriate opportunities to build their future and contribute to the development of our society and economy.” (Arab News, 2018) At a speech given at the 107th International Labor Conference in Geneva entitled Women at Work, Dr. Nasser Al-Ghafis addressed the issues that keep women from fully participating in society. (Arab News, 2018) In addition to Vision 2030, Dr. Nasser Al-Ghafis laid out a short term plan called National Transition 2020 that outlines 36 objectives that support women’s transition into the workforce. “We aim to increase women’s participation in the labor market from 22% to 30% in 2030 which will contribute to an increase of 3% of non-oil GDP.” said Dr. Nasser Al-Ghafis. (Arab News, 2018) The goals of National Transition 2020 include increasing labor participation among women, helping women with a work/life balance, and helping women start their own business. (Arab News, 2018) Opportunities include better wages and part-time or remote work so women can care for their families. (Arab News, 2018)

With these new programs in place, Saudi Arabia hopes to increase labor participation among women 130% in the private sector. (Arab News, 2018) Other goals include 40% of all start up businesses being started by women. (Arab News, 2018) Dand Hunt, founder of Lynwood Consulting said, “Saudi females represent a talented, well-educated pool of labor. Today, more Saudi women than men are attaining university degrees.” (Arab News, 2018) Women in the workforce will add diversity to the Saudi workforce and help to grow the economy.

 

References

Saudi Women to Start Own Businesses Without Male Permission. 2018. Retrieved on October 8, 2018 from www.straitstimes.com

Saudi Women Seize New Business Opportunities. 2018. Retrieved on October 8, 2018 from www.arabnews.com

Vision 2030 Based on 3 Axes, Saudi Women Important Element of Kingdom’s Strength: Minister. 2018. Retrieved on October 8, 2018

from www.arabnews.com