Saudi Gazette A new textile factory for sewing military uniforms is currently under development in Riyadh, and it will be one of its kind as it will only employ women. Yes, the factory will be managed, directed, and operated solely by women. The factory is expected to open in June this year, however, some women have already begun applying for jobs and are attending training courses to assess their skills, learn the basics of this new industry, and determine their future positions at the factory. The supervisor in the designing phase of the factory, Amal Al-Awad, said, “The factory will employ between 180 and 190 women, with a basic salary of up to SR 4,700 per month, with an additional amount of SR 300 to SR 600 per month for transportation expenses, and medical insurance for herself and her family members.” Another incentive for women to work at the factory is that there will be a children's nursery on the factory's premises, and it will provide supervised childcare for a minimal fee. Dr. Ali Al-Ghafis, director of Saudi Arabia's General Foundation for Technical and Vocational Training told Al-Watan, “This new project to launch a military uniform factory staffed by 100 percent female employees is just the beginning of similar projects in the near future. Such projects will attract women into the workforce, which will play a major role in boosting the national economy. Women will become financially independent, in supporting families in need of a steady income. “For many ambitious and hopeful young women, working at the factory may be the starting point that will help them establish their own small businesses.” Munira Al-Aloula, deputy governor of the foundation for girls, told Al-Watan that an agreement had been signed between the Ministry's Industries Organization, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense, and the foundation to build a factory that will extend 1,200 square meters in surface area with women being 100 percent staffers. Al-Aloula expressed her thanks and appreciation to Princess Hessa Bint Salman for supporting this project and for accepting the position of chairperson of the factory. She has a strong presence behind the wheel of change and development for women in the Kingdom, and advocates active participation and involvement of women in education and in the vocational and industrial sector as well. “We envision that the Saudi woman will occupy positions in our nation's industries and that she will be qualified enough to compete with male counterparts. Women are now entering the workforce and are performing more complex tasks and we will see greater numbers of women working in a wider range of fields, with the help and cooperation of both the government and private sector,” said Princess Hessa. __
