Durham E-Theses The participation of women in Saudi Arabia's economy

374 Pages·2012·14.22 MB·English

Durham E-Theses
The participation of women in Saudi Arabia’s economy:
Obstacles and prospects
Al-Dehailan, Salman Saleh
How to cite:
Al-Dehailan, Salman Saleh (2007) The participation of women in Saudi Arabia’s economy: Obstacles and
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2
SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
DURHAM UNIVERSITY
The Participation of Women in Saudi Arabia's Economy:
Obstacles and Prospects
The copyright of this thesis rests with the
author or the university to which it was
submitted. No quotation from it, or
information derived from it may be
published without the prior written
consent of the author or university, and
any information derived from it should be
acknowledged.
Salman Saleh AL-Dehailan
B.A. in Islamic Economics (Imam Mohammed Bin Saud University, Saudi Arabia)
M.A. in Economics (University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado, USA)
Thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of
the Doctor of Philosophy Degree, at the School of Government and
International Affairs, University of Durham
1 7 OCT 2007
March 2007
In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
ABSTRACT
Low female labour force participation has been one of the main characteristics of the
Saudi labour market over the last fifty years. This study is an attempt to analyse the
factors affecting women's (non)employment through the perception and
understanding of employed and unemployed Saudi women and Saudi policy
makers. By using primary data assembled through questionnaire and interview
methods, it identifies the major factors influencing the employment and non
employment of women in Saudi Arabia. Since in order to promote women's
participation in all sectors of the economy, accurate information regarding various
types of historical, financial, social, familial, cultural, religious and demographic
factors explaining the prevailing lack of women's participation in the formal
production of the economy is needed and this study aims to provide such a
comprehensive understanding of the issues involved.
The questionnaire method was conducted to collect data from employed and
unemployed women samples to investigate their perceptions related to factors
affecting their (un)employment and also challenges related to diversification and
expansion of women participation in economic activity. In addition, semi-structure
interviews were conducted to collect data regarding the perception of policy makers.
The questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted in three cities of Saudi
Arabia (Riyadh, Dammam, and AI Hasa) during the period of February 2004-June
2004. Assembled data were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed to provide
further meaning through statistical, textual and interpretative methods.
The analysis of the data indicates that demographic, financial, socio-economic,
attitudinal and cultural factors as well as government policies influence women's
employment status in Saudi Arabia. The qualitative and quantitative factor analysis
based on women's perception indicates that the following factors has important
impact on women's participation in the labour market: distance difficulties,
transportation, extended holidays, negative view towards working women, mixed
working environment, labour legislations, child care facilities, par-time work and
flexible working hours and promotion programs to change society attitude. Important
recommendations include the need for a change in the attitudes of people towards
women's employment as well as providing the facilitators which help women cope
with employment.
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DECLARATION
This thesis results from my own initiative and work, and has not been offered
previously in candidature for any other degree in this or any other university
IV
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am most grateful to Allah, the Beneficent and the Merciful, who helped and guided
me to overcome the difficulties and obstacles during the whole period of my studies
in the United Kingdom.
I like to express my gratitude to all those who, one way or another, have touched on
the development of this thesis for their support, encouragement, and constructive
criticisms. Without their valuable feedback this dissertation could not have been
accomplished.
I wish in particular to express my gratitude to my thesis supervisor Professor
Rodney Wilson, who has truly helped me to complete this thesis through his sincere
advice, unfailing assistance, guidance, patience, continuous encouragement and
understanding throughout the course of the study.
I would like to thank Imam Mohammed Bin Saud University in AI-Riyadh, and AI
Ahssa Branch, for the scholarship rendered to me to undertake this study. My
thanks go to the staff in the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in London for their
unfailing assistance.
Thanks are also extended to all my colleagues in the School of Government and
international Affairs and friends in Durham and in Saudi Arabia for their help,
assistance, and encouragement during the period of study.
Finally, my thanks to all who have helped me in the course of my research. In
particular all those Saudi women and policy makers who have kindly took part in this
study by allocating some of their time for questionnaire and interviews.
Last, but not least, I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to my
mother for her prayers, and patience during my study, although she was in need of
my presence during this time. Also my deepest gratitude and love go to my spouses
and children who have most affected from this study due to my absence in their
social life. I am grateful for their patience and unceasing love, which has been a
continuous source of strength for me.
March 2007
Durham
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract II
Dedication Ill
Declaration IV
v
Acknowledgement
Table of Contents VI
List of Tables X
List of Figures XV
List of Abbreviations and Definitions XVI
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1. 1: Introduction 1
1. 2: Statement of Problem 3
1. 3: Aim and objectives of the study 8
1. 4: Research Questions 9
1. 5: The Structure and Overview of the Study 10
1. 6: Summary 12
CHAPTER TWO:
SURVEYING THEORIES AND THE ISLAMIC TEACHING ON WOMEN'S
PARTICIPATION IN THE LABOUR MARKET
2. 1: Introduction 13
2.2: Definition of Terms 15
2.3: Theoretical Models Explaining Women's Work 16
2.3:1: Human Capital Theory 17
2.3.2: Labour Market Theory 18
2. 3. 3: Household Theory 20
2. 3. 4: Feminist & Patriarchy Theories 21
2. 3. 5: Cost - Benefit Analysis Approach 23
2. 3. 5. 1: Woman's work related costs 24
2. 3. 5. 2: Women work related benefits 24
2.3. 6:Absolute advantage and comparative advantage 26
2.4: Women's Work in Islam: Contextual Observations 26
2.4.1: Women's Employment in Islam 30
2.4.2: Conditions for Women's work 32
2.4.3: Employment Areas for Women 34
2. 5: Conclusion 37
CHAPTER THREE:
WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN SAUDI ECONOMY: AN OVERVIEW OF
DEVELOPMENTS AND TRENDS
3. 1: Introduction 38
3.2: Women's Economic Participation: Developments and Trends 39
3.3: Characteristics of Labour force in Saudi Arabia and Women's Participation 43
3.3.1: Employment and Unemployment 45
3.3.2: Employment in the Public Sector 47
3.3.3: Employment in the Private Sector 48
3.4: Investigating The Sources of Increasing Participation of Women in the Labour 50
force
3.4.1: Population Growth 50
3.4. 2: Work and Fertility 54
3. 4. 3: Social Factors in Saudi Arabia 56
3.4. 4: Economic Growth 57
3.4.5: Woman's Work and Regulatory Framework 58
3.4. 6: Human Resources Development Fund 61
3. 5: The Education of Women in Saudi Arabia 62
VI
3.5.1: The Presidency of Girls' Education 66
3. 5. 2: General Education 69
3. 5. 3: Higher Education 70
3. 5. 4: Institutional and Organizational Development 73
3. 5. 6: Budgetary Allocations 76
3. 5. 7: Mismatch between women's labour skills and labour market 76
requirement
3. 6: Women's Issues In Saudi Development Plans 77
3. 6. 1: First Development Plan 79
3. 6. 2: Second Development Plan 80
3. 6. 3: Third Development Plan 81
3. 6. 4: Fourth Development Plan 83
3. 6. 5: Fifth Development Plan 85
3. 6. 6: Sixth Development Plan 87
3. 6. 7: Seventh Development Plan 87
3. 6. 8: Eighth Development Plan 88
3. 7: Women and Reform In Saudi Arabia 90
3. 8:Conclusion 92
CHAPTER FOUR:
WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN SAUDI ARABIA: A
LITERATURE SURVEY
4. 1: Introduction 93
4.2. Empirical and Discursive Studies on Women's Work in Saudi Arabia 94
4.2.1 First Stage: 1973-1984 94
4.2.2 Second stage: 1985-1995 98
4.2.3 Third Stage: 1995-2000 106
4.2.4. Fourth Stage: 2001-2005 112
4. 3. Conclusion 121
CHAPTER FIVE:
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND SURVEY DE/SIGN
5. 1: Introduction 123
5. 2: Research Design 123
5.2.1: Survey Methods 125
5. 2. 2: Triangulation 126
5. 3: Research Method and Data Collection 127
5.3.1: Questionnaire Survey 128
5. 3. 1. 1: Questionnaire Design 132
5. 3. 1. 2: Sample Locations 134
5. 3. 1. 3: Sample Size 135
5. 3. 2: Interview Survey 136
5. 4: The Pilot Study 139
5. 5: Main Fieldwork 140
5. 6: Translation 142
5. 7: Data Analysis 143
5. 9: Conclusion 147
CHAPTER SIX:
DESCRIPTIVE EMPIRICAL FINDINGS ON WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE
LABOUR MARKET: PERCEPTION ANALYSIS
6. 1: Introduction 148
6. 2: Demographic Characteristics 150
6. 2. 1: Marital Status 150
6.2.2: Women's Age 151
6. 2. 3: Women and Children 152
6.2.4: Children under School Age 153
6. 3: Family Background Characteristics 153
VII