Since 2016, Saudi Arabia has embarked on a transformative journey, reshaping its social and economic landscape. Central to this evolution is the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and promote social reforms, including significant strides in women’s rights and gender dynamics.
Even if challenges remain, these reforms have resulted, in only a few years, in allowing Saudi women, who for 50% of them are under 27 years old, to quickly play growing roles in education, research, and the workplace, particularly in entrepreneurship and the digital sector.
Legal reforms under the Saudi Vision 2030
Central to the transformation started under the Saudi Vision 2030 is a cascade of groundbreaking legal reforms in only a few years, aimed at granting women greater independence and opportunities in both private and public life.
Among the most impactful reforms was the lifting of the ban on women driving in 2017. This pivotal change not only marked a significant step forward for women’s mobility but also symbolized a broader shift in societal attitudes towards female rights. With the ability to drive, women gained newfound independence, enabling them to pursue employment and education more freely. The reform was implemented in 2018, and by 2020, over 174,000 driving licenses had been issued to women.
In 2019, further amendments to travel regulations allowed women to obtain passports and travel abroad without needing prior approval from male guardians. This monumental shift in policy empowered women by affording them greater control over their personal lives and decisions. This was quickly completed, a few months later, by the imposition of a ban on child marriages, reflecting a growing commitment to protect women’s rights and welfare.
Only two years later, 2021 brought about new amendments that allowed single women to live independently, providing them with the autonomy necessary to flourish academically and professionally without parental constraints. This reform has been particularly significant in a society where women traditionally lived under the guardianship of male relatives and in their family homes until marriage.
Women’s participation in sports has also increased, with a 149% rise between 2015 and 2020. Women are now allowed to attend sports events and participate in various activities, although overall participation remains lower compared to men.
Finally, in 2023, an amendment to Saudi nationality law further bolstered women’s rights by enabling Saudi women married to foreign nationals to pass on Saudi citizenship to their children, thus promoting gender equality and strengthening the legal status of children born to Saudi mothers.
Education: A Gateway to Empowerment
One of the most significant changes brought by all these reforms has been in women’s education. Saudi Arabia has made tremendous strides in this area, with women now constituting more than 50% of university graduates.
This educational progress is particularly notable in STEM fields, where 58% of the 37,600 students earning STEM majors in 2018 were women. Female students predominantly chose majors in Communication and Information Technology and Physics, while male students preferred Architecture, Construction, and Engineering.
Furthermore, in 2019, the percentage of Saudi female students in higher education was nearly equivalent to male students. Female students constituted 53.2% of enrolled students and 45.3% of new students. Finally, in 2020, female enrolment in college, both domestically and abroad, surpassed the number of male students.
This shift is not merely about numbers; it represents a fundamental change in societal attitudes towards women’s capabilities and roles. Initiatives such as the partnership between Misk Schools and Girls4Tech, and collaborations with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) and Tuwaiq Academy, have been pivotal. These programs provide state-of-the-art digital training in AI, programming, cybersecurity, and robotics, preparing women for future careers in these fields. The establishment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre (Atheer) is another milestone, offering cutting-edge digital programs and fostering female talent in technology and innovation.
Women’s Participation in the Workforce
The workforce has also seen a dramatic increase in women’s participation thanks to the legal reforms implemented under the Saudi Vision 2030, including the introduction of anti-harassment policies in workplaces and the criminalization of sexual harassment.
First, unemployment rates for women have decreased. Although still significantly higher than Saudi men’s unemployment rates, which ranged from 4% to 5% between 2020 and 2022, female unemployment fell from 31% in 2017 to 14% in 2023. In addition, from a mere 17.6% in 2017, the percentage of women in the Saudi workforce rose to 35.5% in 2023, surpassing the Vision 2030 goal of 30%.
This growth is evident across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and notably, the tech industry. Indeed, Saudi Arabia stands out as the only country where women have overtaken men in tech startups, with 28% female participation in the tech industry compared to 17.5% in Europe.
This evolution was highlighted by the appointment of the first two women to hold high-level positions in the government in 2022: Mrs. Shihana Alazzaz as Deputy Secretary General of the Saudi Cabinet, and H.R.H. Princess Haifa Bint Mohammed Al Saud as Deputy Minister of Tourism. The Shura Council itself has now an obligatory gender quota, requiring only 30 seats to be reserved for women out of a total of 150 seats. In the private sector also, women have made significant progress since, in 2022, 39% of Saudi women held senior and mid-level management positions.
Entrepreneurship: A Catalyst for Change
The entrepreneurial landscape has been particularly fertile ground for Saudi women. As of May 2021, Saudi Arabia boasted the third-highest percentage of women in entrepreneurial roles globally at 17.7%, at the forefront of emerging industries such as technology and digital services. Notably, nearly half of Saudi players in eSports are women, highlighting their growing influence in the digital sector.
Women entrepreneurs are not only creating economic opportunities but are also supporting other women and gradually influencing social norms. These solidarity practices include providing women-only office spaces and onsite daycare, arranging safe transport to/from work, mentoring at business events, facilitating access to funding, and so on.
The government support has been instrumental in this growth as well. Initiatives such as the “Monsha’at” program provide resources, training, and financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has simplified business registration processes, making it easier for women to start their ventures. Educational advancements have also played a crucial role, equipping women with the skills needed for entrepreneurship through specialized programs in business, finance, and technology.
Challenges and Cultural Shifts
However, despite significant progress, challenges remain within Saudi society and, in 2023, Saudi Arabia still ranked 131st out of 146 countries in terms of gender equality.
Indeed, gender segregation persists in many workplaces, with a 2022 study finding that 62% of Saudi companies maintain separate work areas for men and women. The survey also found that 73% of male employees prefer to communicate with female colleagues through email or messaging apps rather than face-to-face conversations.
Moreover, as of 2023, 85% of workplaces still required women to wear loose-fitting clothing and 67% require head coverings in the office. Most of them also maintained a persistent wage gap, particularly at higher income levels.
A recent study also shows that the percentage of divorced Saudi women workers is higher than that of unemployed Saudi women, which may be explained by the increased stress in the households, and increased conflicts between couples, generated by the long hours that Saudi women have to put in at the workplace.
Interestingly, this might actually result from a misconception that Saudi husbands have of the social norms, which evolution and shift they fail to perceive. Indeed, another recent study on “pluralistic ignorance” revealed that while 87% of married Saudi men aged 18-35 privately support women working outside the home, they significantly underestimate this support among their peers, thinking it closer to 24%. And it also shows that providing information on the true levels of support increases men’s willingness to help their wives search for jobs by 36%.
Therefore, we can see that the rapid pace of change in Saudi Arabia presents a complex picture. While significant progress has been made in a short time in areas like education, workforce participation, and legal rights, deeply ingrained social norms and practices continue to pose challenges. For international managers and businesses looking to operate in Saudi Arabia, understanding these nuances is crucial. The evolving gender dynamics offer new opportunities for talent acquisition and market expansion, but also require sensitivity to local cultural contexts and ongoing social transformations.
As Saudi Arabia continues its journey towards greater gender equality, it serves as a fascinating case study of how traditional societies can undergo rapid social change. The coming years will be critical in determining whether these reforms will lead to lasting societal transformation. What is clear, however, is that the role of women in Saudi society is undergoing a profound and potentially irreversible shift, with implications that extend far beyond the Kingdom’s borders.