In Episode #133 of The 966 podcast host Richard Wilson welcomes Dr. Jennifer Peck, Swarthmore College, who has done extensive and fascinating research on women in Saudi Arabia’s labor market as well as recently being featured in Foreign Affairs magazine for her superbly researched and written article, Working Women are Changing Saudi Arabia: Reforms Have Made the Economy More Productive, Families More Resilient, and Saudis More Tolerant.
In her excellent article for Foreign Affairs magazine, Working Women are Changing Saudi Arabia: Reforms Have Made the Economy More Productive, Families More Resilient, and Saudis More Tolerant, Dr. Peck writes that the ongoing economic transformation in Saudi Arabia has, “raised women’s visible participation in public life, made families more financially resilient, and boosted businesses’ productivity by increasing their access to talent. These shifts, in turn, appear to be driving a feedback loop: the more Saudi society embraces women in the workplace, the more the government is encouraged to pursue ambitious reforms.”
In this episode, Dr. Peck also discusses the evolution of women’s participation in the Saudi labor force and the impact of reforms on the economy and society. She highlights key historical timeframes, such as the 60s, 80s, Arab Spring, and Vision 2030, that have shaped women’s access to and impact on the workforce.
Her deep understanding of the issues also enables her to pinpoint some key challenges and opportunities that remain, including cultural adaptation, mentorship programs, and the long-term effects of labor quotas on firms.
To view the video version of The 966 Episode #133, How Working Women are Changing Saudi Arabia with Dr. Jennifer Peck, Swarthmore College, click here.
