Saudi women remain under-represented in business sector

Saudi women lack skills to become successful in business Saudi Arabian women remain grossly underrepresented in the entrepreneurial sector, a report has found. Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI) in association with the Ashridge Business School in Britain recently launched the survey, which notes the advancement of Saudi women over the last few decades, but goes on to state: “They (women) remain constrained at large in their ability to translate this (positive attributes) into tangible entrepreneurial success.”
The research has found that Saudi women lack certain skills needed to become successful business women.
Among the key findings were that Saudi women entrepreneurs often present themselves as confident and capable, but are undermined by a lack of self-belief, highlighted by indecisiveness, an inability to commit to decisions and a fear of failure.
The report indicates that female businesswomen are tenacious when following their chosen career path, but are reluctant to take risks, such as seeking external funding for their companies.
The results of the investigation also suggest that Saudi women’s lack of initiative, self-sufficiency and self-reliance is a consequence of the social restrictions imposed on them in Saudi Arabia.
This effect can prove so internalised that women become accepting and content with their circumstances.
The women surveyed were noted to have experienced strong emotional reactions to the gender-specific challenges they face in Saudi society. Feelings of helplessness, outrage and frustration were expressed as well as a strong fear of judgement and failure.
The report also addressed the current failings of the Saudi Arabian business licensing regulations, which was found to discourage growth. Due to restricted access to government services, women are unable to fully participate in the entrepreneurial sector. Ladies sections were recently set-up within government offences but have been criticised as ineffective, with the women found to prefer to rely on a male relative to help them.
“Many of the women’s struggles identified by this work, specifically reflect their position in Saudi Arabian society. If greater entrepreneurial participation of women is desired, Saudi culture will need to adapt to help them develop the personal skills and qualities needed,” said Dr Gill Coleman of Ashridge Business School.
The requirement of a “wakeel” (legal male guardian) when applying to start a business also contributes to the difficulties faced by women,  in addition to the legal requirement to hire a male manager to act as the face of the company. The driving ban, as well as needing permission from a male guardian to travel abroad, puts Saudi businesswomen at a great disadvantage.
The report goes on to propose  a series of changes must be made across the Kingdom, including socio-cultural, education and regulatory areas, in an urgent bid to advance women’s entrepreneurship. The findings are based on an action-based study of 37 aspiring and established Saudi female entrepreneurs, whose real life accounts were recorded by in-depth interviews and engagement in a number of workshops.