Saudi Arabia might be quite conservative when it comes to women rights, but the Kingdom is doing its bit to break stereotypes and empower women. As a first in the kingdom, Saudi now has a supermarket led by a team of women. Yes, you read that right!
Also read: Meet Fahima Falaknaz, UAE’s First Female Boxer
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Saudi Arabia Has A Lulu Led By 103 Saudi Women
The UAE-based retailer- Lulu Group recently opened its first store led by an all-women staff in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The move is part of the group’s Vision 2030 plan to empower Saudi women. The 37,000 square-foot express shop is located near King Abdul Aziz University and has a staff of 103 Saudi women. The store is home to a wide variety of globally sourced products, such as grocery essentials, fresh food, health and beauty, household and much more. This is the 20th branch of Lulu Group in the kingdom, one of over 200 stores the company has set up across the Gulf since 2000.
The team is led by Maha Mohammed Alqarni, who is the first woman to be the general manager leading a shop of Saudi women. Maha wants to change the way women are perceived and thereby, empower them. Lulu Group currently employs 3,000 Saudis, including 800 women. This is the first store led by an all-female team, from the general manager to cashiers. The move signifies Saudi’s effort to empower more women in the workforce. The store follows strict Covid-19 protocols and only permits entry with those who have downloaded the Tawakkalna app. Well, kudos to the women of Saudi for taking a one-of-its-kind initiative.
The First All Women Ambulance Has Begun Operations In Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia just launched the first-ever all-women ambulance service. The ambulance service in Saudi Arabia is run by the Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Center and consists of an all-women emergency female medical team. The service is used to transport patients- especially women wanting extra privacy, through ambulances around the clock. Well, kudos to the women of Saudi for taking one-of-its-kind initiative.
Saudi Arabia To Get More Driving Schools For Women
Besides this, Saudi Arabia’s local media has also reported that by early next year, more driving schools for women will open in various parts of the country. Female applicants will be encouraged and allowed to use driving schools for men, following a set time table. There will be a specific time for women at schools under the supervision of female instructors.
Also, a report from the General Authority for Statistics showed that 174,624 driving licences were issued to women between June 2018 and January 2020. Saudi women account for 85 per cent of female driving licence holders in the Kingdom. That’s certainly huge. We hope that with time, women in Saudi rise high and break more barriers in the coming future.