JEDDAH, 29 August 2005 — Women working in markets and on the streets seem to be perfectly acceptable to the Saudi population while those working in commercial organizations often engender hostile reactions from male colleagues and the public.
This blatant double standard has triggered a furious reaction from women, who occupy only five percent of the jobs in the private sector and who want to take up opportunities that present themselves.
In public markets and traditional festivals, there are sections available for women to work. Some of these women receive special care from government departments which know that the market is the only source of income for their poor families.
There are many markets around the Kingdom open for both genders. Despite these facts, many men bridle at the idea of women working in malls and shopping centers. Saudi women sitting on sidewalks selling their products for a living is a common sight, yet men refuse to embrace the concept of women in an air-conditioned office or shop. Some consider it a “disaster” yet they fail to substantiate their argument with a valid reason.
These same men contradict themselves when they accept that women working in other people’s homes as maids are doing an honest job. They say that “there’s no shame in any work.”
Al-Watan Arabic newspaper recently interviewed a number people, both male and female, to shed light on the issue.
Dr. Nahed Taher, a financial consultant, confirmed that the current female work force does not exceed five percent. She put the blame for this low percentage on government rules that limit women’s participation in work force in addition to the strict yet confused social culture that prevents males and females from mixing in some places and allows it elsewhere. This, according to Dr. Nahed, is a double standard that restricts women’s employment more than the culture or religion.
“If there were special markets for families that prevented singles from going in, then we would accept females working in them,” said Mubarak Al-Masradi. “I do not object women’s employment as a principle. We must ensure that they can work with dignity and away from harassment.”
Muhammad Al-Muteb said that Saudis should be more educated and open-minded about this issue. “We need to deal with it in a simple way. We agree that women can work anywhere as long as Islamic rules and regulations are applied. These days, there are many job opportunities open to women and they will get more chances in future.”
Nabil Ben-Saleh said that women used to work in the market long time ago when life was simple. “With life getting more and more complicated and modern commercial centers springing up fast, the role of women has dwindled. Slowly, saleswomen have disappeared from the marketplace,” said Ben-Saleh.
He said markets where male and female salespersons work side by side still exist in Al-Ahsa.
“Where is the problem?” asked Ben-Saleh. “It is with our society. We tend to look at women working in an open public place as normal while in a modern commercial center as very strange.” He hoped that these modern markets would change the way society looks at women’s employment.
