Abstract
This study explores the participation of Saudi Arabian women in employment. Its purpose is to
educate the public about the recent trends in this particular job market. It seeks to inform the
public about the challenges that women face in employment. Also, it underscores intervention
measures that can be used to stop and reverse this practice. With regard to methodology, it
employs a qualitative descriptive approach. The study will find out the challenges that women
face. These are likely to be sensitive and related to the value system of the population. It will
provide valid recommendations to address the problem effectively and sustainably.
Key Words: Women Saudi Arabia, research
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Purpose Statement and Rationale
The purpose of undertaking this research is to underscore the general wellbeing of
women employees in Saudi Arabia. Its focus is on the work conditions and their implications on
women workers. Relative information is vital in informing and educating the public about the
experience of women in this job market. Certainly, there are various challenges that women
experience in this environment (Wilson & Graham, 1994). Bringing this to the fore helps in the
development and implementation of effective and sustainable reform policies. Another purpose
of this study is to educate the public about the negative impacts of culture, traditions, values, and
norms. This knowledge is instrumental in helping them make informed decisions and exercise
creative and critical thinking at all times. This will particularly be vital in the current culturally
and socially diverse work environment.
In order to enhance coherence and meet the goals and objectives of the research, the
paper focuses on three distinct areas of study. To begin with, it details the current trends with
respect to women involvement in the labor market. According to Giddens (2003), there are
significant gender disparities in this respective environment. Then, it proceeds to explaining the
occupational, legal, social and educational challenges that undermine full participation of women
in this important sphere of production. Finally,, it discusses relevant intervention measures that
can be undertaken to counter the current scenario. Although not exhaustive, the preceding areas
provide sufficient information that fully informs the reader about the problem under review.
Based on this, the audience can be able to make credible and informed decisions about the
corporate market in Saudi Arabia. Most importantly, they can be able to understand and
appreciate the varied contributory factors to the current scenario (Laurel, 2003).
Statement of Qualification
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The researcher has background information in feminist studies that detail the struggles
that women have undergone in a bid to enhance and protect their worth. Having interacted with
women from the Middle East, he also understands and appreciates the challenges that these
populations face. For this reason, he is better positioned to probe this issue further. Since he
currently works for the media industry, it would be easy to publish the findings and ensure that
the audience is well informed about the actual state of affairs. The relative resources will enable
the researcher to advocate for reforms in this sector and ensure that the affected individuals live
productive lives. Through the media, he seeks to inform the individuals wishing to venture this
field about the respective work conditions.
Literature Review
The fact that women contribute significantly to the holistic wellbeing of the society
cannot be overstated. Their active involvement in economic production has huge implications on
the ultimate output of a nation. Despite this recognition, Colbert (2005) found out that the
participation of women in active employment in the Middle East is very low. This is attributable
to various factors such as lack of education and disabling cultural and religious values and
beliefs. Based on these findings, Kathryn (2006) challenged the respective governments to
assume their responsibilities with regard to helping women to participate in productive
employment. In his compelling research, Mayer (2007) found out that men dominate the
corporate industry in the Middle East. This according to the research is because the religious
values of this population prohibit women from engaging in public activities. Ambah (2005)
explained that women in this region are expected to be preservative. Thus in most instances, they
only participate in domestic production.
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Further, a survey undertaken by Donna (2005) indicated that despite constituting a
significant 59% of the Saudi Arabian population, women do not contribute directly to economic
development. Certainly, this implies that Saudi Arabian economic potential is not fully tapped.
The special innumerable talents that women have continue to be ignored by this society. Recent
trends ascertain that this kingdom depends heavily on expatriates to run most of its economic
sectors. These are sourced from the global labor pool. Specifically, Wendy and Wendy (2005)
found of the nation allocates a significant percentage of its resources to outsourced human labor.
Undoubtedly, this has detrimental effects on its sustainability as well as general growth and
development.
In his consultative research, Mayer (2007) recommended that since the problem is
intrinsic in nature, the Saudi Arabian government needs to approach it from an institutional point
of view. Examples of measures that it can undertake to counter he scenario include educating its
public about the importance of gender equality, initiating and sustaining programs that encourage
participation of women in active employment, providing incentives for women who are willing
and ready to engage in employment, and preparing these Muslim women for competitive
participation in employment amongst others. Most importantly, Donna (2005) concluded that
this government needs to formulate and implement relevant legislation to oversee the reform
process.
Research Method
In order to ensure an objective research, it is widely agreed that the methods should be
credible (Marshall & Rossman, 2010). This research will be based on qualitative and descriptive
methods. The choice of the research methods is informed by the available time and resources. In
particular, the proposal will employ information from wide ranging primary as well as secondary
WOMEN WORKING IN SAUDI ARABIA 6
resources. These include scholarly books, journals, peer reviewed articles, journals, and
educational websites amongst others. They are available on line as well as in the institutional
library. In addition, it will conduct online fields interviews using open ended questionnaires and
interview schedules. In order to ensure accuracy of the information that is provided, research
participants will be encouraged to audio tape their responses. The questions included in the
preceding research instruments will be consistent with the objectives and goals of the study
(Patton, 2001).
With respect to the sample, the research will use ten women who meet the chosen
purposive sampling criteria. In this respect, the participants will be required to have a specific
education background and to have been employed in Saudi Arabia at any time. Preferably, they
will need to be conversant with the value system of this kingdom. Social media will be used to
get the sample. Also, consent forms together with the interviews will be mailed to the
participants accordingly. They will be given one week to respond to the questions and mail back
their responses. In case they need further explanation and directives regarding how the questions
need to be answered, they will be directed accordingly. As an incentive, the participants will be
given monetary rewards upon completion of the study. In addition, they will be provided with a
detailed report of the findings of the study.
Expected Findings and Implications
Presumably, this research will bring to the limelight the various challenges that employed
women struggle with in Saudi Arabia. Based on the literature review and media reports, the
corporate sphere in this region is dominated by the male faction of the society (Ambah, 2005).
Women are not given a supportive environment that can enable them to participate actively in
this production sphere. The study will also underscore the specific disabling conditions and
WOMEN WORKING IN SAUDI ARABIA 7
suggest ways that can be used to address the issue. Notably, some of the concerns that are likely
to be addressed are very sensitive. Issues pertaining to the religious beliefs, culture and value
practices of a community usually raise various concerns. Thus there is likely to be mixed
reaction to the findings. Resistance and a certain degree of opposition to the study is expected.
In order to yield optimal outputs, the respective intervention measures need to be
sustainable. Based on the findings, the study will detail certain recommendations that the
government should take in an effort to address the issue. At this point in time, it cannot be
disputed that the current scenario has adverse effects on the welfare of women. Ultimately,
research findings will contribute a great deal to improving the status of the affected women in
employment. This way, they are likely to be more productive. It will suggest that this population
be empowered in order to participate fully in employment. In the long run, the relative efforts
will boost the entire economy of the Middle East. It will enhance its competitiveness in the
current corporate environment. This is at the core of the economic, social, and cultural goals of
the population residing in the region.
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References
Ambah, F. (2005). Saudi women recall a day of driving. The Christian Science Monitor, 1, 16-
18.
Colbert, K. (2005). Ethics for international business: Decision machining in a global business
economy. London: Routledge.
Creswell, J. (2012). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches.
USA: Sage Publications
Donna, A. (2008). Call for legislation to stop child marriages. Arab News, 22-31
Giddens, A. (2003). The progressive manifesto: New ideas for the Center-Left. Polity, p. 183.
Kathryn, C. (2006). Muslim cultures today. Oxford: University Press.
Laurel, B. (2003). Design research: Methods and perspectives. London: MIT Press.
Marshall, C. & Rossman, G. (2010). Designing qualitative research. USA: Sage Publications
Mayer, A. (2007). Islam and human rights: Tradition and politics. UK: Westview Press.
Patton, M. (2001). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. USA: Sage Publications
Wendy, H. & Wendy, K. (2005). Just Advocacy? Women’s Human Rights, Transnational
feminism, and politics of representation. Rutgers: University Press.
Wilson, P. & Graham, D. (1994). Saudi Arabia: The coming storm. USA: M.E. Sharpe.