Fatima Muhammad

Saudi Gazette

 

JEDDAH – Illiteracy, lack of education, absence of job opportunities and lack of breadwinners are the major causes of poverty among Saudi women, according to a new survey conducted by King Khalid Charitable Foundation in cooperation with Evad Center for Studies and Consultation.



The survey covered 3,865 women from 13 regions in the Kingdom. A copy of the survey received by Saudi Gazette stated that 42.2 percent of women suffering from poverty in the Kingdom are illiterate.



Majida Al-Najim, the head of the center which conducted the survey, called this a high parentage considering the age group covered in the survey that ranges between 20 and 50 years, a productive age.



According to the survey, 25.4% of women did not finish their primary education.



Al-Najim, an associate professor at King Saud University’s Social Studies Department, noted that the lack of education among these women resulted in general lack of awareness about health and social issues and ignorance about their rights. The survey revealed that 32% of women did not complete their high school education because of family issues, while 22.1% of women included in the survey did not consider education important for women.



“This indicates that a large segment of women included in the survey do not have trust in education. This also indicates a strong influence of men over women which deprives them of their right to education,” Al-Najim said.



The survey found that unemployment was a distinctive characteristic of poor women in the Kingdom. Only 10% of women covered in the survey stated that they work. Up to 28% of women included in the survey work as janitors. Only 8% of women confirmed they have worked previously.



“The absence of education among these women resulted in low qualifications and skills depriving them of decent jobs as employers prefer qualified and experienced workers,” said Al-Najim.



The survey also debunked the general notion that guardians and family members are the main obstacles in women’s education and jobs. Only 8% of the sample noted that their families object to their work. Some 32.6% stated that their main obstacle is the lack of transportation.



Up to 35% percent of women included in the survey were widows while 24.2% were divorcees.



“The absence of family life of these women is one of the major causes of their predicament. What they need is sufficient social security allowance that helps them get a better life,” recommended the survey. At least 23.1% of the sample stated that they have only one breadwinner in their families, while 38.6% confirmed that different members of the family work.



According to the survey, half of the married women are living with unemployed husbands. While a total of 75% of the sample do not have a real breadwinner as they are either widows or divorced women.