The Challenges Saudi Women Faced at the Workforce

In this paper, investigation was done on the different challenges faced by the Saudi working women in the private sector of the Saudi workforce. A qualitative research was done based on phenomenological methodology; where observations and in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews included a sample group of fifteen Saudi workingwomen at the National Commercial Bank in four different branches located in north Jeddah. The findings of the study indicated that different challenges were faced by the working women and these challenges were categorized into two categories, challenges within the work itself, and non-work related challenges. Results showed that balancing family duties and work responsibilities was one of the challenges faced. In addition, lack of job opportunities, religious influence, stereotypes and gender roles were among the challenges faced. Furthermore, results have found that the requirement of higher education at work place and family regulation were stated as external challenges that were faced by Saudi Arabia’s working women.