Saudi Women of Riyadh and Employability Impact of the Driving Ban Lifting

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of the driving ban lifting on the employability of Saudi women in Riyadh city. Additionally, it argues that the driving ban was based merely on patriarchal assumptions denying women from a simple right. Chiefly, the headmost objective of this research is to provide insights into the degree to which enabling women to drive allows them to enter into the Saudi labour force. To that end, this study is done by means of an online semi-structured interview addressed to twelve Saudi women. It is found that women in Saudi Arabia welcomed the abolishment of ban and perceived it as a victory as gaining freedom of mobility encouraged women to become visible in the public space. The removal of ban increased the chances of women in Saudi Arabia in advancing their education, finding employment opportunities in farther locations, taking up employment and gaining access to different career opportunities. It is concluded that social and economic gains established by freedom of mobility are a major step towards establishing gender equality in Saudi Arabia. However, the cultural change in Saudi society is yet to come and women have to get stronger to embrace more challenges if they persist on their independence.