RIYADH, 12 June 2003 — Under the auspices of Princess Hussa bint Salman ibn Abdul Aziz, a seminar entitled “Businesswomen in the Light of the System: Their Rights and Responsibilities” at Prince Salman Social Center on Sunday was attended by a large group of women of all ages and regional backgrounds.
“The number of Saudi businesswomen has risen to a very substantial level in the Kingdom in general, and in Riyadh in particular,” said Huda Al-Jeraisy, head of the Ladies’ Cultural Committee of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in an opening statement to the seminar. She added that this seminar was the first of many to be organized by the committee to advise Saudi businesswomen in running businesses in the Kingdom.
Hind Al-Sheikh, a member of the committee, then introduced the two lecturers, Layla Al-Dughaither and Zaina AbuHassan, both of whom are legal consultants.
The program’s seminar took the form of three stages: First, there were lectures on legalities of business in the Kingdom. The topics were divided between the two lawyers and dealt with the following points: Introduction to the regulations and procedures (Layla Al-Dughaither); The judicial system (Zaina AbuHassan); Rules and regulations pertaining to small businesses (Layla Al-Dughaither); Rules and regulations pertaining to larger companies (Zaina AbuHassan); General problems facing Saudi business women (both lecturers).
Second was an impromptu speech delivered by Princess Hussa. The princess jokingly opened her speech by saying that, because she was not a businesswoman herself, she was almost an intruder at the meeting (Princess Hussa has a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from King Saud University and a master’s degree in Diplomatic Studies in International Law from Westminster). Nevertheless, the young princess’ encouraging tone was welcomed by the assembly and facilitated a calm, open discussion.
Princess Hussa emphasized: “Saudi women face a challenge to prove to ourselves and the rest of the world that we are capable of achieving and developing within our religious framework.”
The princess then briefly touched on the importance the Internet and video-conferencing may have in overcoming some of the cultural obstacles facing Saudi women.
“With the emergence of virtual offices, women no longer need to leave the office or work in mixed environments,” she said.
Princess Hussa also broached the topic of some social resistance to women working.
“Some will say that a woman need not leave the house to work unless it is of utmost necessity,” she said. “If that is the only reason for a woman to work then I say there is an urgent need: Your country needs you. Saudi women have a national duty to utilize their capital; in that way, we can help bring Saudi Arabia up to WTO standards. We have many religious women that are educated and enlightened enough to argue this cause. We women must stand together. The road to success is never easy.”
Finally, the princess emphasized that it was the goal of the committee, with the help of active businesswomen, to petition for a women’s section to be opened in the chamber of commerce here in Riyadh as it has in Jeddah.
“There are people of authority like Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, Sheikh Hussain Al-Athel, and Prince Abdullah ibn Faisal who are willing to help us achieve our goals. We just need to unite and cooperate in presenting our ideas and suggestions in a logical and realistic manner.”
The third and final stage of the assembly was the open discussion part. Unsurprisingly, most of the questions dealt with what was perceived by most women as the greatest legal obstacle facing Saudi businesswomen: The requirement of having to be represented by a male legal agent. In reply to the questions on this point, all five members of the presenting committee promised that change was on the way.
“If women united and petitioned for the establishment of a women’s section in the chamber of commerce, the requirement for using a male legal agent would no longer be necessary,” Princess Hussa said.
The committee also mentioned that authorities were considering making the ID cards obligatory for Saudi businesswomen. When asked about the practicality of doing that when society (and even the judicial system) still has not accepted the idea of ID cards for women, Layla Al-Dughaither said: “Well, at least today they exist... the rest comes with time, persistence and patience.”
