Page 46 - U4SSC Factsheet, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 2020

Gender income equity in Riyadh in the form of the ratio of average hourly earnings of female workers
to male workers is reported to be 0.88. While this ratio is higher than many other cities around the
world, work needs to be done to address the vast overall employment gender gap between women
and men. Women in the entire MENA region continue to face cultural, legal and social barriers to
working, with the level of joblessness among young women much higher than that for men even in
countries like Saudi Arabia. These trends translate into lower lifetime earnings for working women.
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Ensuring gender parity and representation: To this end, it is recommended that all cities in Saudi
Arabia, including Riyadh, draft comprehensive Local Equality Action Plans as roadmaps for increasing
gender parity outcomes in the areas of employment, participation in management mechanisms,
education, health, prevention and redress of violence against women and urban services. The UN
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international
conventions are helpful sources that can provide guidance in this regard. The city should also conduct
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gender parity analysis of its municipal departments, commissions and boards.

As motherhood and lack of support in household duties are two universally cited reasons around the
world for women either working fewer hours or leaving the labour force entirely, collecting data on
and reporting day-care availability for children is also recommended for Riyadh.

Lastly, while Riyadh has reported 0.50 per cent voter participation, the chief administrator of the
city – its Mayor – is appointed by the King of Saudi Arabia. The city’s socio-economic, cultural and
environmental development policies are formulated by its executive branch, the Arriyadh Development
Authority (ADA) and are overseen by the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh. Even so,
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the city has committed to increasing rates of public participation.

For specific projects already planned and underway in this regard, please see the section on ‘Goals
and Projects for a Smart Sustainable Future’.

40 U4SSC Factsheet | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | June 2020