Riyadh's women defy the barrier

The sixth Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) held in Riyadh from 22-24 January attracted a host of global business and political leaders who shared their views on how entrepreneurship can improve a country’s economy and better develop society.

Saudi Arabia’s government employs 92 per cent of the workforce and of the eight million private sector jobs in the country, the majority are taken by the country’s expat community.

Keen to diversify its economy away from oil and encourage nationals to pursue jobs in the private sector, the kingdom is investing $45bn in the education sector this year to equip its nation with the skills to tackle the future.

Besides education, entrepreneurship is the only solution to increasing competitiveness and stimulating the economy according to the speakers.

But entrepreneurship requires openness, equality and creativity in which to thrive, attributes Saudi Arabia lacks.

The strict, conservative social codes that continue to keep men and women apart from one another are a big hindrance to entrepreneurial progress.

The disproportionately large number of men in high-ranking jobs makes it near-impossible to complete any business transaction or secure funding or start up a business without contact with the opposite sex.  

This is why the glass barrier in the middle of the conference hall was quickly disregarded. Many of the women stayed behind the barrier, watching the speakers on the giant screens, but as the day went by, more women made the move over to the other side.

It was a sign of progress. But pictures of women sitting among men, some without headscarves in the following day’s newspapers prompted the religious police to make an appearance at the Four Seasons hotel, a reminder of their role in society. Patrolling the halls, they requested women go back to their place in the designated section.

They had little effect. The intermixing continued. And it will have to if the country is to nurture entrepreneurship.