Assignment Portfolio [A] Exercise – Case Study in Saudi Arabia
Overview of Women Empowerment
Women Empowerment, defined as elevating women’s control and agency across various life aspects, embodies equal access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making (Keshab and Mandal, 2013, p.18-19). Women empowerment is pivotal in globalization, fostering societal modernization, attracting foreign investment, and creating jobs (Topal, 2019). For example, by enhancing female leadership, New Zealand demonstrated improved governance and socioeconomic advancement (Secretariat, 2013, p.41-43). In Southeast Asia, Vietnam has made notable progress in integrating women into the workforce, thereby boosting socio-economic growth, with women’s labor force participation ranking among the highest worldwide at around 69% (World Bank, 2022). Despite its significance in promoting gender equality and societal development, stark disparities persist globally, as evidenced by the lower Women’s Empowerment Index in countries like Saudi Arabia.
The Women Empowerment Reality in Saudi Arabia
Historically, women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia was notably restricted by stringent societal norms and conservative policies, impinging on their mobility, employment, and public participation. According to Al-Asfour with the research Career Development International (2017), "the historical working systems in Saudi Arabia impeded women's professional career advancement with low social status and family connections." However, one concrete example is that the country's infamous driving ban, lifted only in 2018, significantly restricts women's autonomy (Business Insider, 2018). Moreover, despite undergoing reforms, the guardianship system controlled various aspects of women's lives and hindered their ability to make independent decisions (Eum, 2019). These factors contributed to Saudi Arabia's low Women Empowerment Index of just over 0.3 out of 1 (Appendix 2).
Regarding the current national state's reality, the scenario under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signifies substantial progress by introducing notable events and reforms (Vick, 2018).
These changes led to paradigm shifts like the appearance of international artists like Justin Bieber or Mariah Carey and the introduction of the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix (Doyle, 2023). The country's strategic geographical positioning, abundant natural resources, and economic stability, coupled with governmental efforts to diversify the economy and enhance women's educational opportunities, foster an environment conducive to women empowerment (Alhawsawi & Jawhar, 2021, pp. 401-419). These initiatives and reforms indicate a national commitment to modernization and inclusivity, creating a promising outlook for women's status in Saudi Arabia
However, achieving comprehensive women's empowerment and improving the Women's Empowerment Index necessitates sustained and multifaceted efforts. Karolak and Guita (2020) explored that "the limited representation of women in political and decision-making roles continues to contribute to the gap in empowerment indices" compared to other countries (Appendix 2). Vision 2030 and ongoing reforms are steering the country in a positive direction, but continuous progression and commitment to promoting women's rights are imperative for realizing holistic empowerment in the Kingdom.
Identification and Critical Analysis of Three Contextual Variables Influence
the ‘Distribution of Women Political Empowerment Index
2022
’ Ranking
The historical and current state research demonstrates three critical contextual variables that heavily influence the Distribution of Women's Political Empowerment Index ranking. They are the Governmental System, Media Environment, and Cultural Norms & Traditions contextual variables as follows:
Legal and Political System of Government
Justification from the research
The research underscores the interplay between legal and political systems in Saudi Arabia, illustrating how political leadership, notably under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, drives
legal reforms and policy shifts (French, 2023). Specific reforms such as lifting the driving ban and amendments in the guardianship system exemplify the legal dimension of governmental changes. The emphasis on the Crown Prince's leadership and the resultant policy modifications showcase the impact of political decision-making within the government system.
Critical Analysis
To critically analyze the impact of the Legal and Political System of Government on women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia, it is essential to examine the combination of political objectives and legal frameworks: First, under Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia maintains the monarchy to initiate significant policy shifts to empower women, including lifting the driving ban and reforming the guardianship system. In an article by BBC News, ' Saudi women driving reform: We did it' (Bell & Shaikhouni, 2023), one part of the Vision 2030 strategy aimed to "increase women's workforce participation and diversify the economy was generally successful." However, a gap exists between policy reforms and implementation, indicative of high power distance and uncertainty avoidance, reflecting societal intolerance for ambiguity (Kechichian, 2012). The country seeks to enhance its international reputation by attracting foreign investment and modernizing society, but conservative societal norms and strict Sharia law interpretation limit progress (Baamir, 2016). The government's censorship and control over public discourse hinder discussions on gender equality, with critics facing arrests. Khazen (2019) pointed out that these restrictions indicate high power distance and low individualism, highlighting societal interdependence. Economic incentives also drive women's empowerment initiatives, contributing to economic growth, but actualization remains constrained by societal norms. Roberts (2019) supposed that these considerations indicate a form of masculinity, reflecting a preference for achievement and material rewards. The reforms represent a balancing act between maintaining an international reputation and adhering to cultural norms, demonstrating a pragmatic long-term orientation.
Media Environment
Justification from the research
Secondly, the media environment shapes societal norms and public opinion. The introduction of international artists like Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey and the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix signify a more open and inclusive media environment. These events, covered extensively by media, can influence societal perceptions and contribute to a gradual shift in attitudes towards women’s roles and capabilities.
Critical Analysis
Examining the influence of the Media Environment on women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia necessitates a nuanced understanding of the interactions among traditional, social media, and governmental control:
In Saudi Arabia, the government's significant influence on traditional media reflects a high Power Distance Index, potentially limiting the dissemination of progressive views on women's empowerment. However, the rise of social media has introduced diverse perspectives (Salman, 2021), with women using platforms to advocate for rights, exemplified by campaigns like #Women2Drive, contributing to policy changes and reflecting a reduction in Uncertainty Avoidance (Al-Sharif, 2019). International events and artists signify a more open media environment and a shift towards lower Masculinity and Uncertainty Avoidance, although high Collectivism can still challenge women's empowerment. The openness in social media contrasts with challenges like online harassment and government surveillance, highlighting tensions between Individualism and Collectivism and ongoing Power Distance in Saudi Arabia (Kruse, 2018). Despite these platforms enabling advocacy and exposure to international norms, government restrictions on activists indicate a balance between empowerment and control. The persistence of high Power Distance and Uncertainty Avoidance Indexes represents continued challenges to realizing full women's empowerment through media in the country (Moghadam, 2009).
Cultural Norms & Traditions
Justification from the research
Lastly, Cultural Norms and traditions profoundly impact women's empowerment. Saudi Arabia's historically conservative cultural norms have significantly hindered women's participation in public life. However, the ongoing reforms and Vision 2030 indicate a slow yet significant shift in these cultural norms, fostering an environment conducive to women's empowerment. Subsequently, another issue of this variable is balancing tradition with modernization, and inclusivity remains a critical challenge for the Kingdom
Critical Analysis
Saudi Arabia, characterized by conservative cultural norms and a high Uncertainty Avoidance Index, has historically restricted women's participation in public life, with stringent laws reinforcing gender segregation and limiting women's access to resources. However, Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signals a shift towards modernization, inclusivity, and alignment with international gender equality norms through significant reforms such as lifting the driving ban and modifying the guardianship system (Alotaibi, 2021). These reforms aim to enhance women's participation in various sectors. Still, challenges persist in reconciling modernization with deeply ingrained traditions, as evidenced by the mixed reactions to reforms and a high Collectivism Index (Norris, 2018). The government manages this delicate balance through gradual reforms, awareness campaigns, and aligning religious interpretations with the modernizing agenda (Curtin, 2008). Education and awareness are pivotal in shifting perceptions, with initiatives promoting gender equality and an increase in Saudi women pursuing higher education and diverse professions indicating a move towards lower Masculinity and a shift in societal attitudes towards gender roles (Jawhar, 2021). Balancing tradition and progress remains a nuanced challenge in the journey towards women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
The research elucidates the intertwined nature of Saudi Arabia's legal and political systems, notably under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's reforms, in influencing women's empowerment and highlights the multifaceted challenges arising from the Governmental System, Media Environment, and Cultural Norms and traditions. A holistic approach is essential for advancing women's empowerment, involving strengthening legal frameworks, fostering dialogue, and leveraging media for advocacy (Cruz, 2021). Then, the following implementations safeguard against harassment and surveillance and continuously engage with cultural norms to promote inclusivity and equality, thus facilitating a balance between tradition and progress.
