Saudi Arabia to Build Women-Only City

  • 12 years ago
Saudi Arabia to Build Women-Only City - as part of the news series by GeoBeats.

The country of Saudi Arabia is planning a city that would only allow a population and workforce of women. The project is still in its design phase with plans to start construction next year.

Many of the Saudi Arabian women attend college, but only an estimated 15 percent are part of the job market. The new project, located in the Eastern city of Hofuf is an idea for coping with the modernizing world, without submitting to a full acceptance of gender equality.

It will have a workforce made up of women running businesses like pharmaceuticals and textiles.

In 2011, women replaced men in lingerie stores, and they have also just recently started to take on staff positions in cosmetics and perfume stores.

Patriarchal Saudi Arabia is making other moves towards women’s political rights as well. In September 2011, the government made an announcement that women would be able to vote and run for office in the 2015 local elections. However, it still remains the only country in the world where women aren't allowed to drive.