Empowering Saudi Women in Light of Vision 2030

Abstract

The study aimed to clarify indicators of political and economic empowerment of Saudi women within a vision (2030) Which aimed to increase the levels of empowerment of Saudi women. The study sought to answer the main question, "What is the percentage of Saudi women economically and politically empowered?" and What are the most important obstacles that stand in the way of empowering Saudi women? To deal with the subject of the study, the case study approach and the descriptive approach were used. The two approaches in this study are used to show the actual empowerment indicators for Saudi women, whether on the political or economic side. The results of the study indicated that the percentage of seats held by Saudi women in the Saudi Shura Council increased to (20%). With regard to indicators of economic empowerment, the literacy rate for females in the Kingdom increased from (69.2%) in (2000) to (76.4%) in (2004), the percentage reached (93.6%) in 2013, then the percentage reached (93.3%) in (2019). The percentage of their economic participation increased from (16.9%) in 2000 to (19.2%) in 2015. Then the percentage increased to (24.3%) in 2016. This mainly reflects the increased participation of Saudi women in the workforce. The average income of Saudi women compared to men increased from (17%) of men's income in (2000), to (21%) in (2002). Then the percentage reached (28%) then the percentage decreased until it reached (23.7%) in 2019. Despite the enormity of the Saudi labor market, it still suffers from high unemployment, as it increased from approximately (9.5%) in 2000 to (17.1%) in 2010, and reached (22.9%) in 2019.