Determinants of Women Empowerment and Its Impact on Community Development in Saudi Arabia

Shagufta Tariq  Khan; Mohd Abass  Bhat; Badriah Dhefallah  Alzahrani; Thanaa Said  Abozeid; Rym Rahouma  Hassani

doi:10.35516/hum.v51i4.3959

Authors

Shagufta Tariq Khan Department of Logistics, Tourism, and Service Management, German University of Technology in Oman (Gutech), Muscat, Oman https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8709-6054
Mohd Abass Bhat Department of Business Studies, College of Economics and Business Administration, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Muscat, Oman https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0705-5410
Badriah Dhefallah Alzahrani Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4908-7303
Thanaa Said Abozeid Department of Educational psychology, Faculty of Education, Beni-Sweif University, Egypt; Previously, Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6264-7895
Rym Rahouma Hassani Department of Mathematics, University College of Al-Darb, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9340-8835

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/hum.v51i4.3959

Keywords:

Education, social empowerment, economic empowerment, community development, Gender equality, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to explore and evaluate the significant determinants of women empowerment and to examine their impact on community development in the Saudi Arabian context.

Methods: The study employed a descriptive analytical approach using a distributed questionnaire. All the measurement items were taken from previous studies with slight changes in the statements to make them appropriate for the current study. A sample of 310 female faculty members in Jazan University was drawn using the convenience sampling method. For hypotheses testing, Structural Equation Modeling was mainly employed using Smart PLS.

Results: Three determinants of women's empowerment—educational, economic, and social—were considered independent variables, and their impacts on community development were examined as the dependent variable. The findings of the study revealed that the educational aspect is the most influential factor that determines women's empowerment in Saudi Arabia and, thereby, connection with community development, followed by the economic and social domains of women's empowerment.

Conclusions: The results of this study will enable other nations to recognize women's strengths and utilize them for national development and economic progress. This research can help policymakers and government officials develop targeted policies and strategies for educational, economic, and social empowerment that are consistent with Saudi Arabia Vision 2030. This can aid in the efficient allocation of resources and implementation of initiatives designed to promote community development.

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