Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Council of Saudi Chambers has put a plan in place to feminize the food sector, Al-Madinah Arabic newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The project is headed by Princess Nourah Bint Mohammad, wife of the Riyadh emir.

“On a trial basis we will hire women in 16 restaurants,” said Huda Al-Jiraisi, head of the initiating team. “We will hold a workshop with restaurant owners to discuss strategies to hire more women in the sector,” said Al-Jiraisi.

This is one of seven other initiatives to employ and empower women.

The current rate of women’s unemployment is 33 percent. The total rate of unemployment in the Kingdom is 12 percent. Currently women’s contribution to the labor market is 20 percent.

The Council aims to increase women’s contribution rate to 30 percent by 2030.

Saudi Arabia, with a market size of $5.1 billion in 2015, was the region’s largest Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) market (43.8% share in GCC market), according to a GCC food service report.