JEDDAH: Saudi businesswomen are calling for changes to the laws related to establishing and managing businesses. In April 2004, a ministerial decision stated that Saudi women could set up businesses without a male guardian. Despite this, businesswomen today report that they are still being asked for a male guardian; the ministry’s decision, they say, is only implemented in a few regions of the country.
Alia Banaja, chairwoman of the Jeddah-based 2 The Point, has joined forces with Hatoon Al-Fassi, Saudi writer and historian based in Riyadh, and Aisha Almana, the director of the Almana Group of Hospitals in the Eastern Province. They want to see the ministry’s decision implemented everywhere in the Kingdom.
“The rule clearly states that a woman no longer needs a male guardian to start a business. Why isn’t it being implemented? By joining forces with Al-Fassi and Almana, I hope we can make officials hear our voices,” said Banaja.
According to the ministerial decree, a Saudi woman can own and manage her business if her work employs and caters only to women. When the business is aimed at both men and women, however, she can own the establishment but she has to hire a Saudi male to manage the business.
Banaja, Al-Fassi and Almana are not only demanding the implementation of the ministerial decision but they also want the removal of the requirement of a male Saudi manager.
“As a businesswoman, I blame the chambers of commerce in the country. They aren’t as strong as they should be. It seems as if we live in different countries. The law must be put into effect without exceptions,” said Banaja.
Al-Fassi told Arab News that this issue was “painful” to businesswomen. “A decision has been made and yet there are still failures to implement it,” she said. “People responsible for carrying out the rules are still afraid. They have undermined the validity of the decision and its power. Some still think they are protecting society from the evil of a woman running and managing her own business.”
She pointed out that a man should not interfere with a woman’s business because he might easily misuse the business for his personal advantage.
She also questioned the absence of women when it comes to explaining decisions. “We shouldn’t wait for a junior employee to explain any decision. Women must be part of that process in chambers all over the country,” she said.
Almana said the opportunity for women to establish, run and manage their own businesses was available. “So why should a man be in charge of administration?” she asked. “The business owner invests her money and does all the work. Why pay a man to do what she originally started? As for following up on paperwork in government offices, there are people who can be hired to do the job.”
