In a bid to strengthen overall development of women in the Kingdom, the government has initiated several laws and policies recently facilitating firms and other stakeholders involved in women empowerment issues.
There has been a rise in the Kingdom’s economy, all thanks to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.
Due to his efforts, the Saudi women are now at the forefront of both public and private sectors.
The opportunities to invest in the Kingdom’s economy and be a part of this growing nation and creating advanced societies that provide opportunities for men and women alike were the main initiatives of the king.
The role of Saudi women has been boosted by King Abdullah.
It has been emphasized by the government to many organizations to evaluate and monitor implementation of this new development for women and assure that they are benefited.
A royal decree recently amended two articles in the Shoura Council’s statute introducing a 20 percent quota for women, and the king appointed 30 women to join the consultative assembly for the first time in history.
The Kingdom has experienced more development and growth in all sectors with several women-led businesses flourishing in Saudi Arabia.
There has been an increase in the rate of women’s empowerment.
Saudi women have started taking up jobs in all the sectors by creating a new workplace in the country.
Several companies have started recruiting women. They provide them with all the facilities and friendly employment practices and reassure gender-sensitive working environments.
Abdullah Lami, manager of PR and government affairs of General Lighting Company (GLC), said: “Saudi Arabia plays a leading global role in inducting women in workplaces as young Saudi women are more committed to their careers and often demonstrate stronger work ethic.”
General Lighting Company hired 125 Saudi females to assemble products in their factories and is planning to expand the women’s section by hiring 100 more female employees.
“The Kingdom’s leadership is committed to empower women and investing in their skills for the growth of the country’s economy,” he said. “Therefore, under the government policies, the company provides Saudi women with all the facilities that are required to encourage creativity, initiative and decision making,” he said.
According to the latest statistics, the actual number of civil servants reached 34.49 percent with female workers in various governmental departments and public firms.
This approach by the Saudi government is to work for comprehensive empowerment of women in the Kingdom cutting across various sectors.
This support is considered a tactical advantage for women to go ahead and push for their place as the country progresses.
The government is trying to develop the Kingdom’s structure, generating new sources of income, constructing a strong base to support the country’s requirement by empowering women under religious considerations.
Through this, universities across the Kingdom are developing leadership skills and career advancing opportunities needed for the success of women in industry.
Alongside, firms and organizations are working on developing and creating jobs for citizens irrespective of their education qualifications.
During 2012, Glowwork.net, a portal for recruitment of women in the Kingdom, has helped create more than 2,500 vacancies for women.
It cited itself as a women empowerment movement by associating with various sectors and universities throughout the Kingdom to educate women on what is expected when entering the job market and how to face the interview.
This educational instructions encouraged women to gain confidence and help them to play an important role in modern industry and economy.
It is well known that female participation in the work force rises along with educational levels.
But the old perception about women’s careers needs to be changed, which requires necessary kind of awareness about the importance of women’s participation and how it will improve the living standard of their families.
Referring to laws relating to women’s rights, sheer laws could not bring about changes in the status of women in society.
Along with laws, it is necessary to create awareness among women regarding their rights, privileges and growth opportunities.
Many women-based organizations have come up various initiatives to encourage women to reach key positions in the work force.
Organizations have been set up to motivate women entrepreneurs and working women.
Such support helps women to contribute in national economy.
These organizations have been built to improve confidence among women to achieve empowerment.
It organizes workshops to create awareness among them on administrative skills, health, social rights and laws pertaining to women.
The government has been playing a key role in encouraging women to be entrepreneurs and binding the largely available potential women to become key contributors to social and economic development of the society.
The problem of entrepreneurship gender gap remains weary, but has been solved lately by encouraging young girls to pursue bright careers.
Education creates a belief to be a capable entrepreneur and be positive.
Ahlam, founder of Property Mall, in a recent interview with Arab News, said the young educated women should get into the work force as it gives them the confidence and gain work experience, which is necessary prior to setting up one’s own business.
It is important to establish a necessary network and understand the services required for the market.
Sadia Al-Wafi, a social worker, said the rise in the number of women joining the Saudi work force is consistent with their growing educational accomplishments and that the prospects for learning continue to increase women’s participation in the work force.
The Kingdom highlighted the implication of the rapid invasion of large numbers of women into labor market, in both public and private sectors.
The women in the Kingdom lauded Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his government for its initiative to recognize women as key contributors to the national economy and play an effective role in developing the financial condition of the family.
These changes have made women remarkable contributors to the economy and set a very vibrant and great examples of the Muslim society where women share and participate in all progressive fields like men.

SourcE: Arab News