Background of the Study
Providing new opportunities, autonomy and economic benefits is significant to the delivery on all the strategic policies of Majlis Al-Shura. While evidences reveal that organizations that promote increased equality among the employees in terms of both new prospect and benefits, there is not only increased efficiency in service delivery but also enhanced livelihood (Buvinic, Gupta, Casabonne & Verwimp, 2013; Castillejo, 2011). Addressing gender issues and empowering women remains significant in addressing most of the administrative challenges facing the organization (Kapiszewski, 2006). Institutional developments in both public and private establishments are more pertinent and sustainable when both genders are allowed to contribute fully as identical actors (Puechguirbal, 2012). Similarly, the progress plans of major institutions can only be achieved when both genders are allowed to take part fully in their design and implementation as equal actors (Melander, 2005).
Yet, despite increasing evidence that women’s improved capabilities and welfare are strongly linked to the developed and improved performance in the public institutions, gender inequalities continue to be inordinately large in public institutions particularly in countries within the Arab world (Aba-Namay, 2008). At present, with few expectations, women working in administrative positions in public institutions fare worse compared to the male counterparts for which data are available (Smith, 2007). If such women have an equal opportunity to the productive outputs, increased responsibilities, participation and independence, the estimates is that the performance of the institution would increase by 20 – 30%, which in turn would increase the governance performance by 2.5% to 4% in both national and local levels (Javed, 2004).
Since its establishment Majlis Al-Shura has made little efforts in allowing women to be part of its establishment until 2013 when women were allowed to take up to around thirty seats (Toumi, 2012; Al Mulhim, 2013). Since then the institution has increased its efforts in overcoming gender issues and empowering women as a strong foundation for its future work and expected improved performance (Al Mulhim, 2013). As indicated, dealing with issues re issues related to women empowerment remains critical to the implementation and achievement of the strategies that have been put established. Consequently, the Majlis Al-Shura will remain at the forefront in working on gender issues in the context of empowering women through education and offering increased opportunities (Al Mulhim, 2013). However cultural orientations and religious belief systems provide new opportunities and greater challenges towards this effort (Smith, 2007).
Therefore, the problem being investigated is the lack of understanding of the impact of empowering women in their administrative roles in order to contribute to the overall performance of Majlis Al-Shura. Even though vast information concerning women empowerment are available and recognition that offering more places in the leadership position is highly needed, no one in the leadership and decision-making organs of the state seems to understand the effects of providing women with more opportunities, autonomy and participation in decision-making processes (Toumi, 2012).
The policy on gender equality and women empowerment would remain significant to the achievement of the overarching goals of Majlis Al-Shura especially, its strategic framework of 2013-2017. Allowing women to participate fully in administrative roles and decision-making processes, increase their education, provide more opportunities in terms of employment, increase their independence, raise their income and strengthen their resilience would reinforce Majlis Al-Shura’s position as the leading institution in promoting gender equality for the general economic growth and social development in Saudi Arabia (Javed, 2004; Toumi, 2012; Al Mulhim, 2013). Besides, Majlis Al-Shura’ know-how and accomplishments would remain superior within its wide-ranging course of action in supporting gender equality and providing women with increased opportunities (Toumi, 2012; Al Mulhim, 2013). Pursuing such strategies would enable Majlis Al-Shura to systemize and increase its efforts to narrow down the gaps existing in gender equality and advance both financial and social status of women within the administrative roles.
The Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of empowerment of gender identity, the identity based on conflict and conflict resolution among female administrative employees working at Majlis Al-Shura in Saudi Arabia. In other words, the purpose of the proposed study is to deepen the understanding of the impact of empowering women based on conflict and conflict resolution and strengthening gender equality among female administrative employees working at Majlis Al-Shura. The purpose of the study will be achieved through the following strategic objectives:
- To explore the manner in which female employees working in Majlis Al-Shura are empowered
- To explore the effects of the empowerment on the performance of the women particularly on the conflict and conflict resolution roles
- To examine the effects of women empowerment on the general performance of Majlis Al-Shura in the area of policy formulation, implementation and achievements
The Research Questions and Hypothesis
The purpose of the study will be met through testing the following hypothesis and answering the two questions:
- H1: Empowerment has positive impact among female administrative employees working at Majlis Al-Shura
- H2: Empowerment has negative impact among female administrative employees working at Majlis Al-Shura
Given the fact that the effects of empowering women working in Majlis Al-Shura is yet to be determined, the proposed study tends to answer the following questions:
- RQ1: What is the impact of empowerment among female administrative employees working at Majlis Al-Shura?
- RQ2: What are the effects of the empowerment on the general performance of Majlis Al-Shura in the area of policy formulation, implementation and achievements?
Long-Term Objectives
The long-term objective of the proposed study is to provide evidence to guide the policy formulation on women empowerment and gender equality within the public institutions in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology
The study is qualitative in which the data will be collected through a survey. The survey questionnaire will be administered to the sampled participants in order to determine the relationships between the variables being tested. The participants will be selected through a random sampling procedure. The collected data will be analyzed through the application of quantitative approaches and the statistical tools in order to determine the best correlation between the variables.
Sample
The sample for the proposed study will primarily be selected among female employees working in Majlis Al-Shura. The study participants will be selected through random sampling procedure. The random sampling procedure is chosen due to its reduced chances of being bias as well as even representation of the population being targeted.
Sample Size
The expected sample for the proposed study will be ten women working in Majlis Al-Shura. Even though all female employees working in Majlis Al-Shura are deemed viable for this study, only ten will randomly be selected and a survey questionnaire will administered in order to determine the correlation between the variables being investigated.
References
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Al Mulhim, A. (2013). Saudi stability and royal succession. Arab News. Web.
Buvinic, M., Gupta, M. D., Casabonne, U., & Verwimp, P. (2013). Violent conflict and gender inequality: an overview. The World Bank Research Observer, 28(1), 110-138.
Castillejo, C. (2011). Building a state that works for women: integrating gender into post-conflict state building. Madrid: FRIDE.
Javed, N. (2004). Gender identity and Muslim women: Tool of oppression turned into empowerment. Convergence, 27(2/3), 58-64.
Kapiszewski, A. (2006). Saudi Arabia: Steps toward democratization or reconfiguration of authoritarianism? Journal of African and Asian Studies, 41(5-6), 459–482.
Melander, E. (2005). Gender equality and intrastate armed conflict. International Studies Quarterly, 49, 695–714.
Puechguirbal, N. (2012). The cost of ignoring gender in conflict and post-conflict situations: a feminist perspective. Amsterdam Law Forum, 4(1), 4-19.
Smith, J. I. (2007). Joining the debate. World Forum, 12(9), 60-62
Toumi, H. (2012). 30 women likely to be on Saudi Shura Council. Gulf News (Manama). Web.