For decades, straitlaced Saudi society offered limited opportunities for women seeking a paid job and the few who did find work were mostly restricted to the health and education sectors.
An oppressive “guardianship” system also gave male relatives the right to object to the women’s professional aspirations.
But change came in mid-2016 when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled his “Vision 2030” plan aimed at diversifying the kingdom’s economy and ending its addiction to oil.
The national blueprint promotes the tourism and entertainment sectors while opening wide the doors of the labor market to millions of women by paring back the restrictions that had constrained them.
Saudi women have now penetrated professional spheres at all levels — they are bankers, business owners, heads of financial institutions, border crossing officers, civil defence members, food cart vendors and shoe sellers.
