Uncovering a different kind of veil that's put on Saudi women

How often have we heard, “the Saudi woman experiences no independence or empowerment” or “the Saudi woman is a ‘captive’ without opinion or rights” or “the best job a Saudi woman does is that of a mother”?

Let’s uncover the veil of myths that we, as marketers, put on Saudi women.

If we step out of our conservative outlook, we’ll see them thrive. Saudi businesswomen possess more than 45 billion SR in savings and 8 billion SR in investments. Real estate investments amount to nearly 120 billion SR and women own 40% of family-run companies in the country. A few years back, we would have never imagined Saudi women to be a lawyers, singers, filmmakers, or basketball players. But, these are realities today.

Just like every other woman in the world, they can actually maintain their last name after marriage. And they too obtain all rights after divorce including child custody and alimony.

Every country has its restrictions. As long as women in Saudi Arabia thrive in the spirit of ‘empowerment’ that is pertinent to them, that’s all that should matter.

There are many more myths surrounding women in the country… and the truths too. And it is our job, as marketers, to find those truths about their lives and how we can help further the positive changes, in a culturally positive way. Because as Bob Dylan said, “…you better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times they are a-changing.”