To Create New Jobs, Traditional Mind-Sets Must Change - Building Gender Balanced Business

“We need to change the mind-set that the best job to aspire to is government employment and we need to train people with the skills to become entrepreneurs. Right now, we have neither.” — Soraya Salti, regional director of Injaz al-Arab, a mentorship program for entrepreneurs

Traditional gender roles are at the heart of the problem, especially in the Gulf countries. For instance, in Saudi Arabia:

• 45% of the population is female
• 56.5% of those women have university degrees
• Yet only 14% of women are in the work force

In the United Arab Emirates, 77% of women have degrees, while only 15.2% are in the work force. In Qatar, 89% of women hold bachelor’s degrees, with just 30% in the labor force (and most of those are in the public sector).

A survey of 415 nationals in these three countries found that:

• 59% of men think women should focus on being wives and mothers first, while only 22% of women agree
• Only 27% of men think women should seek jobs and financial independence, compared with 71% women

“The revolution encouraged many young people to disobey parents by protesting in the streets and facing failure, and for many of them this was a liberating mentality that they are carrying into their professional lives now.” — Ahmed al-Alfi, founder of venture capital firm Sawari Ventures

If given the opportunity, women could prove to be a great entrepreneurial force. But the men also have a hard time striking out in business because of family pressures.

“There’s a lack of encouragement to start your own business from family that comes out of good will and is embedded in the culture.” — Chadi Moujaes, a partner at Booz & Co. in the U.A.E.

In addition to government initiatives, cultural attitudes are likely to gradually start changing with the help of:

• Community events and schools
• Organizations that guide would-be entrepreneurs in their endeavors
• Awareness through the media, such as a planned reality TV show following three people starting a business

As the entrepreneurial idea spreads, new role models are bound to emerge and people’s notions about career options will broaden.