Role of Women in Saudi Arabia - Case Study Example

BUSINESS Role of women in Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, women face various limits based entirely on gender. A woman, despite her age or marital status, is supposed to have a male guardian. The guardian can be her father, husband, uncle, or brother. This means that the women cannot enter into negotiations which are binding. The guardian is the only person that is allowed to enter into the business discussion. (Alharbi, 2014)The women are also not allowed to travel, attend institutions of higher learning, do work, or marry without their guardian’s permission.

The guardian is at the center of every decision that the woman will make. It is therefore wise not to involve women in business negotiations because they may not be binding. The quality of life that a Saudi woman lives purely depends entirely on her male family members. “If a woman is lucky enough to come from an open family, she will enjoy free education, be encouraged to work if she chooses, have a say in who she marries, travel the world, and come and go as she pleases. If she comes from a more conservative family, she may not be allowed to do any of those things.

” (Mandi, 2014)“The Expat women, for the most part, enjoy a much more relaxed life than the average Saudi woman. If she is not married to a local, an ex-pat woman is not bound by as many religious or social customs of the country, especially not while behind the walls of her compound. She may enjoy a life that very much resembles the one she had back home, with parties, concerts or plays, and social events with friends or the ex-pat community.” (Mandi, 2014)However, they are not supposed to engage in negotiations that are binding.

Therefore, it is wise to always consider taking business negotiations with male counterparts for the sake of peace and not abusing their culture.