Non-diplomatic jobs for Saudi women soon

In a historic move, women will be employed in non-diplomatic posts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Saudi diplomatic sources said.

There has yet, however, to be any decision about appointing women at Saudi embassies abroad.

Speaking to Gulf News, the sources said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided - as a first step - to appoint as many as 40 women as translators and political and economic analysts.

"The ministry has taken an initiative to launch a separate section for women at the headquarters of the ministry in Riyadh. This will be in line with Sharia regulations and taking into account social factors," they said.

In another development, Dr Gazi Al Gosaibi, Labour Minister, hinted women could be allowed to work as lawyers.

"The Council of Ministers has issued directives to carry out studies about the prospect of allowing women to set up separate lawyers' offices," he said.

Dr Al Gosaibi cited the difficulties faced by his ministry in hiring women in private practice.

"There are a number of reasons for the high percentage of unemployed women in the kingdom. Cultural and social restrictions are at the forefront.

"The vast majority of Saudi men and women don't want to work in an integrated environment, as reflected in their letters to the ministry. Hiring women also needs special infrastructure, which is also difficult at the present time," he said.

Meanwhile, a large number of women came forward to take up jobs as security guards at the women's sections of universities and hospitals, ladies' branches of banks and commercial centres as well as at girls' colleges.

A number of women have also applied to be security guards at companies run by Saudi businesswomen.

The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the diplomatic sources told Gulf News, is carrying out studies about the prospect of setting up an office for hiring women to work in the private sector.

These include supporting jobs in the pharmaceutical and computer industry as well as in wedding halls.

Hessa Al Aun, a member of the women's committee at the chamber, said the panel had been holding consultations with chamber officials about setting up a centre that served the interests of young Saudi women who want to work.