EMPOWERING WOMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WITH WOMEN MAKING UP 32% OF ITS WORKFORCE.
For an industry that is traditionally associated with men, especially in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s ROSHN Group is reshaping the narrative. The company, which is the Kingdom’s largest multi-asset developer, has blazed a trail for women since its launch just five years ago. Today, 32% of ROSHN’s workforce is female, among the highest ratios in the region’s construction sector.
ReTurn program attracts thousands of applicants
This achievement hasn’t come by chance. ROSHN Group has implemented a clear strategy to attract, retain, and empower women in construction. A standout initiative is its ReTurn program, which provides three months of paid training for women re-entering the workforce after a career break of one to five years. The program has received tens of thousands of applications since its inception, highlighting the untapped potential in this demographic.
The philosophy behind ROSHN’s approach is straightforward: greater diversity and inclusion lead to better decision-making and stronger organizational performance. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Group is committed to being an employer of choice for women. Strategic partnerships, such as with the nonprofit Nusf, further reinforce its goal of empowering Saudi women.
ROSHN Group ranked top workplace for women in KSA
These efforts have paid off. In addition to being named the Best Place to Work in Saudi Arabia, ROSHN was also recognized as the Best Place to Work for Women last year. The Group’s inclusive policies, ranging from career advancement opportunities to comprehensive family medical coverage, have helped it earn a reputation as a top destination for female talent.
One key driver of female engagement at ROSHN is the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, large-scale change. The department with the highest number of female employees is the design team, where over half the staff are women. ROSHN also recruits heavily from a growing pool of talented female graduates, who now make up over 50% of graduates in fields such as architecture.
Speaking at the Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, Dr. Giovanna Carnevali, ROSHN’s Executive Director of Master Planning, addressed the resilience and drive she sees in her female colleagues. “As women, we often find ourselves needing to prove our capabilities more. At the same time, we bring deep passion to our work and put our heart and soul into everything we do. I always say that what truly matters is letting your work speak for you,” she said.
Dr. Carnevali added that the construction sector in Saudi Arabia offers women a real chance to gain visibility and lead transformational change.
Diversity strengthens decision-making and design outcomes
Hiring more women also makes good business sense. A more diverse team means ROSHN can better understand its female customer base and design homes that reflect their preferences and lifestyle needs.
ROSHN Group is proving that gender should never be a barrier in construction. As other companies take note and follow suit, the next decade could see a remarkable shift in the gender landscape of the region’s built environment.
Follow Dr. Giovanna Carnevali on LinkedIn:
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