Women Empowerment in local Saudi Companies, example: alfanar

 

“Women empowerment in Saudi Arabia is non-existent.” I used to hear this statement frequently in Western boardrooms and conferences. Then I visited Saudi Arabia recently, and what I witnessed not only challenged this deeply entrenched misconception but completely shattered it. My visit to alfanar, a leading Saudi company, revealed a story that rarely makes headlines in Western media – a story of genuine transformation, empowerment, and progress driven by Saudis for Saudis. This is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and you can find the projects here.

 

Beyond the Headlines: The Real Saudi Workplace

Walking into alfanar’s facilities, I expected to see what Western media had conditioned me to expect – perhaps a token female presence or segregated workspaces. Instead, I encountered something remarkably different. The company employs over 700 women, a number that stopped me in my tracks. But it wasn’t just the numbers that were impressive; it was the entire ecosystem built around supporting and empowering these women professionals.

At the heart of this ecosystem sits the Women Empowerment Centre, a testament to alfanar’s commitment to not just employing women but investing in their long-term professional growth. The center offers regular training sessions that go far beyond basic job skills. Women receive comprehensive professional development, including crucial soft skills like teamwork, leadership, and communication – the very skills that build confident, capable professionals in any country.

 

Creating Loyalty Through Genuine Empowerment

What truly sets alfanar apart is the extraordinary loyalty they have fostered among their employees. In a global job market where job-hopping has become the norm, many of these women have stayed with the company for multiple years. This loyalty speaks volumes about the genuine nature of the company’s commitment to women’s empowerment.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to speak with numerous female employees, and their enthusiasm was palpable. What struck me most was the authenticity of their happiness. This wasn’t the carefully curated presentation often prepared for foreign visitors – these were genuine interactions with women who took pride in their work and their workplace.

 

Breaking Down Cultural Misconceptions

One of the most powerful moments came when several employees asked to take photos with our visiting team. Here is where Western prejudices often surface – there’s a tendency to view Saudi women’s dress choices through a Western lens, automatically assuming restriction rather than choice. The reality I witnessed was far more nuanced and empowering. These professional women, dressed in their chosen attire, were confident, engaging, and eager to connect professionally.

Their enthusiasm for LinkedIn particularly caught my attention. In Saudi Arabia, LinkedIn has emerged as a powerful professional networking tool, with women actively building their professional networks and personal brands. This detail alone speaks volumes about the changing professional landscape in Saudi Arabia.

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Coffee, Conversation, and Cultural Exchange

My visit coincided with International Coffee Day, and the women were excited to share traditional Saudi coffee with us. This simple act of hospitality became a window into something much more significant – their pride in both their cultural heritage and their professional achievements. Over coffee, they eagerly shared details about their projects, their career aspirations, and their vision for Saudi Arabia’s future.

 

The Bigger Picture: Saudi Arabia’s Transformation

What I witnessed at alfanar is not an isolated case but part of a larger transformation sweeping across Saudi Arabia. This change is particularly significant because it’s organically grown – driven by Saudis for Saudis. It’s not an imported model of empowerment but one that respects and works within Saudi cultural values while pushing for progress.

The women I met aren’t waiting for Western approval or validation. They are charting their own course, defining success on their own terms, and building careers that align with their values and aspirations. This authentic approach to empowerment is precisely why it’s succeeding.

 

Looking Forward: What the West Needs to Understand

For Western observers, understanding modern Saudi Arabia requires letting go of outdated narratives and being open to a different model of progress. The empowerment I witnessed doesn’t mirror Western frameworks, and that’s precisely why it works. It’s culturally authentic, sustainable, and most importantly, owned and driven by Saudi women themselves.

Companies like alfanar are showing that women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia isn’t just possible – it’s happening right now. The success of their model demonstrates that when organisations genuinely commit to women’s advancement while respecting cultural values, the results can be remarkable.

The transformation of Saudi Arabia’s workplace isn’t just about numbers – though employing 700 women is certainly impressive. It’s about creating an environment where women can thrive professionally while staying true to their cultural values. It’s about building support systems that enable long-term career growth. Most importantly, it’s about changing narratives and proving that empowerment can take different forms in different cultures.

For Western businesses and observers interested in understanding the real Saudi Arabia, it is time to move past stereotypes and engage with the reality on the ground. The story of women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia is being written by Saudi women themselves, and it is a story worth paying attention to. If you want to learn more about the region and how things are changing – consider subscribing to our Middle East Insights.

 

Reflection

As I left alfanar that day, I couldn’t help but reflect on how many other success stories like this exist in Saudi Arabia, untold in the Western media. The women I met weren’t just employees; they were pioneers, each contributing to the changing face of their country. Their story is a powerful reminder that progress often looks different from what we expect, and that’s exactly as it should be. Progress also can be found in the Vision 2030 Giga Projects.

The next time someone claims that women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia is non-existent, I will remind them of the 700+ women at alfanar, their Women Empowerment Centre, and the genuine pride and happiness I witnessed. Sometimes, seeing is believing, and what I saw was a Saudi Arabia that many in the West have yet to recognise – one where women are increasingly taking their place as key players in the country’s transformation.