Female Participation in the Saudi Workforce: A Saudi Perspective of Key Barriers

Abstract

Knowledge from a Saudi perspective of female participation in professional occupations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is scarce particularly when compared to the global context. This paper focuses on one aspect of key findings of a doctoral study aimed at identifying enablers and barriers to female participation in the Saudi workforce. The focus of this paper is on the barriers to women’s participation. Five important barriers have been identified and are discussed. They are (i) differences in attitudes across regions; (ii) female participation as a sensitive cultural issues; (iii) the impact of the ‘Western eye’ regarding Islam (iv) Islam as an enabler?; and (v) responsibilities to family and expectations.