‘Innovation lab’ to help develop Saudi women’s ICT skills
Women’s participation in workforce has increased from 20% in 2018 to 33% in 2020
As more women join
Saudi Arabia’s workforce, a multinational company is setting up an “innovation lab” to support digital skills development.
The new platform, created by India’s Tata Consultancy Services, will work with startups and universities to provide participants, particularly women, a chance to “explore and innovate with new technologies.”
Women’s participation in the Kingdom’s workforce has increased from 20 percent in 2018 to 33 percent in 2020 — a 64 percent rise in just two years.
Although the all-women center will focus on developing IT and digital-related skills, Tata said it will also support participants to pursue long-term careers in finance, accounting, human resource operations, and supply chain management.
Several representatives from different Saudi bodies were present at the inauguration, including Ahmed Altheneyan, the deputy minister for future jobs and digital entrepreneurship.
Rising female participation in Saudi Arabia’s labor force could boost non-oil growth and improve average household incomes in the country, according to a report by Moody’s rating agency.
The elimination of the decadesold ban on women driving was the first big step, but the government also created a subsidy program to help women with work-related commuting and childcare expenses.
Since its inception in 2017 around 100,000 females have benefited from the program. Under the Wusool program, women can receive an 80 percent discount on the cost of each trip to work, up to SR1,100 ($293) a month for those with a monthly wage not exceeding SR6,000, and SR800 for workers earning between SR6,001 and SR8,000.
The scheme is run by the government’s Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf), and it provides women in the private sector subsidized high-quality, safe, and secure travel-to-work services, in partnership with taxi companies,
through licensed smart apps.
Empowering women is one of the key objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms plan, which aims to ensure they flourish and become active leaders and innovators who can contribute fully to the growth of the economy.
Saudi Arabia has not only introduced legal reforms to promote female empowerment but also funded projects and initiatives in a number of sectors, including tourism, investment and culture, that have created
opportunities for women. Along with these initiatives, government sectors are committed to guaranteeing and protecting women’s rights in the workplace. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, for example, has worked to reduce gender-based discrimination and find ways to create safe work environments that foster growth and innovation.
Women have also played their part in creating legislation, opening businesses, and taking a leading role in private sector investment. In addition, Saudi Arabia now has its first female professional racing driver, awardwinning female film producers and female judges.
It has been less than five years since Vision 2030 was announced, but already many women have become leaders in the Saudi economy, own successful businesses, manage departments in a variety of businesses, and have even attained the rank of sergeant in the military.