ABHA, 8 December 2007 — More than 50 Saudi businesswomen came from across the Kingdom recently to discuss different issues relating to their respective areas.
Businesswoman Samira Baitar underscored the importance of women in having an independent and stable income. This she said would protect women and help them garner all the rights that Islam gives to them.
According to Baitar, there is also a need to increase the awareness among women regarding their rights. This, she said, can be achieved with more training programs.
Businesswoman Alia Farid from the Eastern Province called on women to be independent and not to rely on others in terms of gaining political titles or playing political roles, such as being ministers or ambassadors.
Deputy of the Executive President of Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Princess Hind bint Abdul Rahman ibn Mfarih Al-Saud said that Saudi businesswomen suffer from a lack of cooperation among different governmental bodies, such as the Ministry of Commerce, the municipality and the chambers of commerce and industry for facilitating the needs of these businesswomen. She said these governmental bodies tend to shirk their responsibilities, sending entrepreneurs on a wild goose chase among different agencies.
Al-Saud also said that while Civil Defense wants emergency exits at shops they own, the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice prohibits women from having alternate doorways at the back of stores owned and run by women.
When asked about the JCCI’s efforts in illuminating these problems Al-Saud said that the chamber has met with different officials from different ministries to discuss these issues. However, she added that there are some officials who are not willing in the first place to discuss any of these obstacles.
According to Al-Saud, business activities by women are not limited to particular fields. “As long as the woman is preserving her customs, traditions and identity, she then can practice any commercial activity,” said Al-Saud, who added that Saudi women have been able to enter professional fields more than ever before.
The businesswomen gathering are an annual event that takes place in the chambers of commerce and industry around the Kingdom. This is the first time that the Abha Chamber has sponsored such a gathering.
