JEDDAH -- Saudi culture is an obstacle to women's career development, according to a recent research by Sanaa Halawani.
Halawani says most Saudis are not ready to accept women as professionals. In research for her just-completed MBA in England, she investigated the current situation concerning women's employment in the Saudi private sector. She examined the reasons for the low percentage of women working in the private sector as well as human resource management policies that affect women's employment.
Saudi culture still looks at a woman's principal role in life as getting married and taking care of her house and children. This is why women are still held back in their careers, explained Halawani. She gives as an example of women studying medicine.
"Forty-seven percent of the medical students are female. But 50 percent of them will drop out after marriage because they need to take care of children and they cannot cope with the long hours involved in medicine. These women either drop out of medical college or leave the profession after graduation because they cannot fulfill their family responsibilities. This is a loss to them and to the country."
A woman cannot go abroad alone to study because her family will not allow her to do so unless she is married and unless her husband accompanies her. If she is married, her husband might not agree for her to go because of her duties to him and their family. These social restrictions and beliefs are obstacles to a woman's career development, especially if her employer wants to send her abroad for study or conferences.
"In most cases," Halawani pointed out, "women will quit their jobs and try to find something easier with flexible working hours and as a result, she sacrifices her career."
The idea of working in an environment with both sexes is also unacceptable to many Saudis, both male and female. "Men will not agree to women's sharing offices with them and put pressure on them to stay at home instead of working in a mixed environment. Because of the pressure, many highly educated women leave their jobs in the private sector," said Halawani.
Work conditions also put pressure on women because their special needs, such as providing transportation, daycare for children and flexible hours, are not addressed.
The problem, according to Halawani's research, sometimes begins with the recruitment and selection of women employees.
"A human resource department should have definite criteria and an exact job description instead of depending on networking and appearance. There should be a proper interview and test," she said.
If the woman is -- or is not -- the right person for the job, time, effort and money will be expended to train her. If she is not suitable, this will affect her performance, her colleagues and the company's ability to compete locally and internationally.
Halawani concluded that companies in Saudi Arabia need to become more sensitive to women and apply family-friendly policies. She recommended that companies improve performance management and implement pre- and post-career development programs for women. She hoped that her research will not only convince the private sector to change its policies but will also convince women when choosing a job or a career to consider the pros and cons and make the right decision.
By Maha Akeel
© Arab News 2006
