A recent newspaper report quoting government sources estimated the number of Saudi girls who cannot find places in universities or in other institutions of higher education or jobs at 50,000 annually. The sources said of the 120,000 students who completed high school last year, only half went on for further education. The remainder has swelled the numbers of unemployed, which increase steadily each year. The report said the figures were based on estimates but it did not name the sources. Nevertheless, if the estimates are close to reality, it is simply not possible to make any long-term strategy or plans based only on estimates.
In another report, Manpower Council Secretary-General Dr. Abdul Wahed Al-Humaid was quoted as saying the unemployment rate among Saudi women was 21 percent. He said a study commissioned by the council concerning the employment of women has been completed. The 21 percent figure is surely very high and makes us believe the newspaper report which said most unemployed Saudi women are high school graduates.
It is unfortunate the Manpower Council did not publish the results of its study on the employment of Saudi women. In the absence of reliable information and data, one can easily say the chances for these girls finding work are almost non-existent. This should lead to national programs for training these girls to prepare them to take over jobs. Such major efforts have to involve all relevant government departments as well as major businesses and banks. Without such efforts, the chances for these girls finding a decent means of living for themselves and their families remain very limited. Coupled with the high numbers of unmarried women, the situation could become intricately complex and complicated. Besides providing employment for these Saudi girls, the programs could also help reduce reliance on foreign workers at a time when officials are seeking to reduce such dependency to 35 percent overall. In the absence of much-needed programs, I fear we may never be able to achieve that goal.
