Saudi Arabia: Women as the keystones of an evolving economy
This evolution has opened up new opportunities, highlighting the key role of women in building a more diversified and resilient economy. Reforms have enabled women to obtain fundamental rights, such as the right to study, travel and work without requiring the authorization of a male guardian. In addition, personal status and employment laws were revised to promote equity, while harassment in the workplace was penalized.
Pressure was growing, and the Saudi authorities could not ignore the demands of Saudi youth, 2/3 of whom are under 35, expressing modern aspirations and desires for gender equality. These expectations have helped shape a more inclusive policy that is stimulating employment and economic growth. These changes have not only evolved a legislative framework, they have also shaped a new social reality, with women actively participating in areas such as film and music, something unthinkable just a few years ago.
One of the notable successes of this strategy is the dynamic emergence of female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. The technology sector in Saudi Arabia is a remarkable example of the growing integration of women into the economy. More and more women are running technology companies in the kingdom. Female entrepreneurship has expanded significantly.
According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), Saudi Arabia stands out as the only nation among the 23 high-income GEM economies where the rate of business start-ups is higher among women than men. This trend is particularly evident in the technology sector, where progress in the inclusion of women is clear. According to the Ministry of Communications and Information and the endeavor insights report, in the third quarter of 2021, the rate of female participation in the technology sector reached 28%, exceeding the previous year's rate by more than 10%, and surpassing the European average of 17.5%.
This positive dynamic can be observed in a pronounced way in e-commerce. Startups such as Sabbar, a platform for recruiting casual workers in the hospitality and retail sectors, have managed to raise $4 million in 2021. Taffi, an AI-based fashion marketplace, has also enjoyed financial success, raising over $2 million in 2022. Similarly, Gathern, a tourist accommodation booking platform, has raised an impressive $5.9 million in 2021. These concrete examples testify not only to the vitality of female entrepreneurship, but also to the prosperity of the technology sector in Saudi Arabia.
These women entrepreneurs are actively contributing to the kingdom's economic diversification, and demonstrating that the inclusion of women in sectors such as e-commerce is a powerful driver of growth and innovation.Although this progress is admirable, it is important to recognize that challenges remain and that women's rights still need to evolve if they are to be fully established in civil society. Saudi women continue to strive to make their voices heard in order to consolidate their gains. However, positive developments in the field of women's entrepreneurship reflect a significant transformation in the place of women in the Saudi economy, offering a promising future.
Sources :
https://www.arabnews.fr/node/233446/%C3%A9conomie
