The impact of religious, cultural and social values in Saudi Arabia on women in light of Vision 2030 project

In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has undergone significant changes and reforms aimed at modernizing its society and economy. Vision 2030, a long-term development plan unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2016, outlines the government’s ambitious goals for the future of the country. One key aspect of Vision 2030 is the inclusion of women in the workforce and public life, which has been traditionally limited by religious, cultural, and social values in Saudi culture. This title explores the impact of these values on the role and status of women in society as viewed through the lens of Vision 2030 and the title also focuses on understanding the challenges and opportunities for women as the country strives towards its goals of modernization and growth. Before Vision 2030, Saudi Arabian women faced strict cultural and social restrictions, including a dress code, a ban on driving, and strict gender segregation in public spaces. They also had limited legal rights, such as the need for a male guardian’s permission to travel, work, or access healthcare. Since the announcement of Vision 2030, the Saudi government has made efforts to modernize and liberalize some of these restrictions. For example, the ban on women driving was lifted in 2018, and women are now allowed to attend public sporting events and concerts. Women also have greater access to education and employment opportunities. However, despite these positive changes, many cultural and social restrictions still exist, and some women face discrimination and harassment. Women's rights activists who have advocated for change have also faced arrests and imprisonment. Overall, while Vision 2030 has brought some changes to the cultural and social landscape for women in Saudi Arabia, the pace of change has been slow, and significant challenges remain in achieving true equality for women in the country.