São Paulo – Creating gender-equal work environments could add as much as USD 400 billion to Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, as per a survey released by international company Accenture and the Al-Nahda Society, a Saudi organization devoted to the socioeconomic empowerment of women.
According to the website of Saudi Arabian newspaper Arab News, the report “Women in the KSA Workforce” shows that as a rule of thumb, companies providing more gender-equal work conditions perform better in economic terms. Equality is conducive to innovation and productivity, and this should encourage Saudi businesses to invest in female training and create a welcoming, supportive environment for women, Arab News reported.
The report notes that Saudi Arabia is making progress. In 2009, women held 14% of public sector jobs and 8.5% of private sector ones. Presently, they are 32% of the private labor force, according to the Al-Nahda Society. In the past, they were kept from working by familial and marital restrictions and obligations, unequal wages, and lack of childcare and access to transportation.
Women’s empowerment is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 development plan. Several steps have been taken so far, including ending the ban on car driving by women, the introduction of childcare programs, and the ability to travel without third-party consent.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
