JEDDAH: In a community that is dominated by tradition and custom, women’s work is the biggest challenge.
Despite opposition, women are involved in various and unprecedented jobs and have proven their competency just like all women everywhere.
For social and cultural reasons, male-dominated businesses do not allow women but women have nonetheless taken the first steps and have entered both the security and military sectors. This has occurred since the Kingdom is experiencing great development that demands expanded roles for women. Despite the necessity of women in these jobs, some people oppose women’s working in these fields.
Hannan Al-Oweid, an officer in the General Directorate for Control Methods at the Customs Department, said Saudi women in the security sector face problems such as lack of knowledge of administrative programs. “Sometimes the nature of the work isn’t suitable in addition to the need for complete confidentiality in the job.
Shift work also is a problem for women. We shouldn’t overlook women’s efforts in behind-the-scenes security work where they play vital roles that are little known to officials because the women’s sections are separated from the male ones.”
She added that daily problems for women working in security are the same as those of other working Saudi women.
One of the biggest is the problem of transportation, especially during seminars, celebrations and exhibitions which demand continuous movement and may take place outside normal working hours.
Al-Oweid confirms that work in security establishments has developed during recent years, and some might question the existence of training programs for security jobs because they feel that women might not be able to perform the needed jobs. The fact is, however, that there are training programs, such as the Customs Institute, whose certificates are accredited by the Ministry of Civil Service.
She stressed the need for working women in the security sector such as in prisons, and for inspecting females in other areas.
Raeda Al-Dossari, a public relations employee for a security firm, said obstacles differ from job to job. For instance, administrative jobs are different from security jobs which are more similar to military ones.
Security and military jobs require dealing with the commander who is the decision-maker. The biggest obstacle for women’s work in military jobs are shifts which continue for days at a time, and can affect a woman’s family life and social relations.
She pointed out that some jobs are difficult for women, and Saudi women have made great strides in gaining military ranks, but they need to enter the ranks of officers and activate incentives and amend military regulations in addition to taking responsibilities in health, rehabilitative and psychological welfare.
Huda Al-Seilan told a local daily that Saudi women find it difficult to work in this sector, especially those who haven’t completed their education and haven’t received practical training. She says the work gives women self-esteem because they are partners in development and active contributors to the family income as well as its social empowerment.
She added that women who wish to work in the security field should have tough mental health which includes the individual ability to enjoy life and create stability between life’s various activities.
Women also need general intelligence for dealing with the public, as well as wide cultural knowledge in order to be ready for emerging situations and act accordingly. They need to be able to deal with uncertain situations and interact with the public.
Their emotional responses should include a strong will and self-control, and anger management skills. They should also enjoy health and the vitality to recognize work tasks and instructions through loyalty and honesty; they should have a good reputation and should set a good example of the values and practices of Islam.
She stressed that security is sensitive and important, and might challenge women’s abilities because they perform many roles such as wife, mother and employee. Women perform double work and they need many possible ways of dealing with situations and overcoming crises without the accumulation of negative experiences that could become psychological ailments.
Despite opposition, women are involved in various and unprecedented jobs and have proven their competency just like all women everywhere.
For social and cultural reasons, male-dominated businesses do not allow women but women have nonetheless taken the first steps and have entered both the security and military sectors. This has occurred since the Kingdom is experiencing great development that demands expanded roles for women. Despite the necessity of women in these jobs, some people oppose women’s working in these fields.
Hannan Al-Oweid, an officer in the General Directorate for Control Methods at the Customs Department, said Saudi women in the security sector face problems such as lack of knowledge of administrative programs. “Sometimes the nature of the work isn’t suitable in addition to the need for complete confidentiality in the job.
Shift work also is a problem for women. We shouldn’t overlook women’s efforts in behind-the-scenes security work where they play vital roles that are little known to officials because the women’s sections are separated from the male ones.”
She added that daily problems for women working in security are the same as those of other working Saudi women.
One of the biggest is the problem of transportation, especially during seminars, celebrations and exhibitions which demand continuous movement and may take place outside normal working hours.
Al-Oweid confirms that work in security establishments has developed during recent years, and some might question the existence of training programs for security jobs because they feel that women might not be able to perform the needed jobs. The fact is, however, that there are training programs, such as the Customs Institute, whose certificates are accredited by the Ministry of Civil Service.
She stressed the need for working women in the security sector such as in prisons, and for inspecting females in other areas.
Raeda Al-Dossari, a public relations employee for a security firm, said obstacles differ from job to job. For instance, administrative jobs are different from security jobs which are more similar to military ones.
Security and military jobs require dealing with the commander who is the decision-maker. The biggest obstacle for women’s work in military jobs are shifts which continue for days at a time, and can affect a woman’s family life and social relations.
She pointed out that some jobs are difficult for women, and Saudi women have made great strides in gaining military ranks, but they need to enter the ranks of officers and activate incentives and amend military regulations in addition to taking responsibilities in health, rehabilitative and psychological welfare.
Huda Al-Seilan told a local daily that Saudi women find it difficult to work in this sector, especially those who haven’t completed their education and haven’t received practical training. She says the work gives women self-esteem because they are partners in development and active contributors to the family income as well as its social empowerment.
She added that women who wish to work in the security field should have tough mental health which includes the individual ability to enjoy life and create stability between life’s various activities.
Women also need general intelligence for dealing with the public, as well as wide cultural knowledge in order to be ready for emerging situations and act accordingly. They need to be able to deal with uncertain situations and interact with the public.
Their emotional responses should include a strong will and self-control, and anger management skills. They should also enjoy health and the vitality to recognize work tasks and instructions through loyalty and honesty; they should have a good reputation and should set a good example of the values and practices of Islam.
She stressed that security is sensitive and important, and might challenge women’s abilities because they perform many roles such as wife, mother and employee. Women perform double work and they need many possible ways of dealing with situations and overcoming crises without the accumulation of negative experiences that could become psychological ailments.
