OVER the last four years there has been a diverse shift in the demographic mix of Saudi Arabia's labor market, with the increasing number of women entering the workforce at the forefront of this change. With Vision 2030 now in its implementation phase, the government is carrying out its commitment to empowering women, recognizing their potential as active contributors to the economic development and modernization of the country. This falls in line with the target of increasing the employment rate among women from 22% to 30% by 2030 (Saudi Vision 2030). While the public sector still represents the largest share of female employment in the Kingdom, data published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development points to a significant increase in the number of women joining the private sector; increasing 130% from 215,000 in 2012 to 496,000 in 2016. This demonstrates the potential and ambition of women in Saudi Arabia to succeed and become independent and the realization (on behalf of employers) that by nurturing women's professional growth, they are contributing to the productivity of Saudi families which positively impacts the overall economy. Specifically, Saudi women have a vital role to play within the real estate industry and the fast-developing retail and hospitality sectors. In 2017, according to Saudi Arabia's ministry of Labor and Social Development, the number of female workers in the retail sector rose beyond 200,000. Diverse roles are being made available from customer facing services to public relations and human resource managers. When exploring some of the success factors for the increased participation of women in those sectors, a number of initiatives stand out. Creating an environment that supports and encourages growth by offering various opportunities is key. This involves in-depth monitoring, self-paced e-learning courses, training sessions and even developing women empowerment platforms to inspire others. Cultivating an appropriate culture among employees where women are seen as equal is also vital. Offering flexible working conditions is also enticing many female participants. While the country's framework continues to evolve in favor of women, the education sector has a large role to play in readying female participants to take active roles in those sectors. Earlier this year, the King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah announced a special degree for females in tourism and hospitality. In addition, Marriot International launched its ‘Tahseen' program developed in partnership with Cornell University, to develop local talent within the industry and advance their prospects into leadership roles. While some structural and cultural challenges continue to face women in the workforce, such as the segregation of males and females and some skepticism, both the public and private sector have shown commitment to strengthening and enhancing the role of Saudi Arabia's women in the workforce.— The writer is an Associate JLL MENA
