Alwaleed Philanthropies Empowers Women as Careem Drivers, Boosting Economic Growth in Saudi Arabia

Alwaleed Philanthropies recognizes the significant role women play in society and is committed to fostering their skills, empowering them, and creating opportunities for their advancement. In a groundbreaking initiative, Alwaleed Philanthropies partnered with Careem from 2018 to 2020 to provide cars for women to work as drivers, enabling them to join the workforce.

This project was integrated with the housing and transportation initiative in 2022, further expanding its impact. A total of 600 individuals, both men and women, will benefit from this program, which aims to adhere to legal and Sharia provisions, drive economic growth, contribute to societal development, and create a competitive society that offers equal opportunities for all in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

After focused discussions with partners, the initiative has established 4 main objectives:

1. Achieving Gender Equality: The primary objective is to enable women to exercise their right to drive, promoting gender equality and empowering them to play an active role in society.

2. Empowering Women for Societal Development: By creating opportunities for women to contribute to the development of society, this initiative has a positive impact on the national economy, fostering growth and progress in Saudi Arabia.

3. Increasing Women's Labor Market Participation: With a target of raising women's participation in the labor market from 22% to 30% by 2030, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive and diverse workforce, tapping into the untapped potential of women in various sectors.

4. Reducing Financial Burden on Saudi Families: Empowering women as drivers helps alleviate the financial burden on Saudi families by reducing the need for recruiting and employing foreign drivers. A monitoring study conducted by (Mal) highlighted that Saudis paid 35.28 billion riyals to 1,385,553 foreign drivers in 2017, making this initiative economically beneficial.

In order to drive the success of this transformative initiative, Alwaleed Philanthropies has formed strategic partnerships with key organisations including the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Changan Almajdouie, Aljazirah Vehicles and Careem .

By the year 2023, a journey of achievements unfolded, marked by meticulous reorganization of selection criteria and screening standards to align with the eligibility requirements set forth by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, ensuring that beneficiaries are developmental and guaranteed. The dedication of 19 captains resulted in the completion of 3,770 trips by December, underscoring their commitment and the project's success. Moreover, the delivery of five vehicles to the female captains stands as a testament to the project's milestones and its positive impact. Through these endeavors, a narrative of progress and fulfillment emerged, shaping a brighter future for all involved.

These accomplishments are a testament to the transformative power of empowering women and providing them with equal opportunities. The initiative, driven by Alwaleed Philanthropies, sets a precedent for the future, paving the way for more women to flourish in the transportation industry and contribute to the socioeconomic development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.