A Town Just For Women? In Saudi Arabia, Believe It

If you’re a woman in Saudi Arabia who wants a job, a new, all-female town might just do the trick.

In an effort to circumvent Sharia law, some women will soon flock to new, all-woman cities in Saudi Arabia, according to Raw Story. It’s like that old saying: If you can’t beat ‘em… form your own town.

The Saudi government plans to build construction on the first all-woman town next year. And while more Saudi woman have taken jobs — particular in retail positions — the cities are expected to broaden the career choices women there have. Under current Sharia law, most women are allowed limited contact with men, making traditional employment difficult.

But while it’s tempting to cheer “hooray” for Saudi women, some officials there have made it it clear their motivations are for economic stability, not empowerment. As Raw Story pointed out, the first all-woman city will create an estimated 5,000 jobs, a major boon for Saudi Arabia, where women’s unemployment hovers around 27 percent.

Empowerment born out of necessity. Hey, it worked for the Olympics, right?

TAGS: saudi arabia | saudi arabia women

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