RIYADH: Women in the Kingdom are complaining of being forced to work in jobs that do not fit their potential or expertise, experts say.
This has resulted in the number of unemployed women going up, despite government efforts to support them.
Saleema Shaker, a Saudi housewife, who has done some training courses, is on look out for a suitable job, but all her efforts to be employed have gone in vain.
“I am 30 years old. I have taken many training courses in order to find a job. I want to feel independent, as also to accomplish something in my life. But so far I have very little hope that this wish will become a reality for me,” Saleema said.
Al-Onoud M., an IT specialist, said: “I applied for a government job hoping that after my master's degree I could have a career of my own it. But when I started work, I discovered that they put me in a department that does not have any relevance to my specialty. I was so angry and disappointed.”
A frustrated Al-Onoud approached the supervisor to complain about this, but all she got was a terse reply that there was no job related to her experience and that she would have to adapt to the work environment in that department.
Another Saudi woman, who requested anonymity, said she was an Islamic studies teacher, but worked in a mall as cashier, which she said did not fit with her potential or experience. This she said has caused problems with her husband because he doesn’t agree with her about her job, she said.
Although the government now focuses on supporting women, experts say that a greater focus is needed on putting the right person in the right place so that productivity can increase and women can find their own careers.
This has resulted in the number of unemployed women going up, despite government efforts to support them.
Saleema Shaker, a Saudi housewife, who has done some training courses, is on look out for a suitable job, but all her efforts to be employed have gone in vain.
“I am 30 years old. I have taken many training courses in order to find a job. I want to feel independent, as also to accomplish something in my life. But so far I have very little hope that this wish will become a reality for me,” Saleema said.
Al-Onoud M., an IT specialist, said: “I applied for a government job hoping that after my master's degree I could have a career of my own it. But when I started work, I discovered that they put me in a department that does not have any relevance to my specialty. I was so angry and disappointed.”
A frustrated Al-Onoud approached the supervisor to complain about this, but all she got was a terse reply that there was no job related to her experience and that she would have to adapt to the work environment in that department.
Another Saudi woman, who requested anonymity, said she was an Islamic studies teacher, but worked in a mall as cashier, which she said did not fit with her potential or experience. This she said has caused problems with her husband because he doesn’t agree with her about her job, she said.
Although the government now focuses on supporting women, experts say that a greater focus is needed on putting the right person in the right place so that productivity can increase and women can find their own careers.
