32 women in Saudi Arabia have become qualified operators of the country’s high-speed rail network, known as the Haramain Express Train, after completing a year-long training program offered by the Saudi Railway Polytechnic. The bullet trains travel through a 453-kilometer route between the cities of Mecca and Medina. The Saudi Press Agency reported on the new development and released a video featuring some of the women who participated in the training, who spoke about how proud they were to be a part of this initiative.
Recently, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih announced that the kingdom plans to build 8,000 kilometers of railway throughout the country. Women in Saudi Arabia have been empowered to make significant contributions to the economy in recent years, particularly after the lifting of the ban on women driving in 2018. This change has greatly expanded their mobility and career opportunities, and women are now able to take on a wider range of jobs, including those in transportation and logistics, which were previously off-limits. The government’s aim to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on oil as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030 is expected to further increase women’s participation in the workforce.
