Browsing by Author "Forsberg, Alexandra"

The following thesis aims to provide insight into barriers for Saudi Arabian women pursuing STEM careers. The thesis is a collaboration with Nokia and UN Women and relates to their project that aims to globally further women’s possibilities to join Nokia and advance inside Nokia. Today, while Saudi women’s educational participation is higher than ever, participation in the labor market is still relatively low; understanding the discrepancy will make it easier to apply targeted actions to support Saudi women in pursuing a career at Nokia. The data is collected with four comprehensive interviews with women currently working at a STEM company in Saudi Arabia. Findings from the empirical data are analyzed with thematic analysis (TA) and a realist framework. The findings are divided into four main themes: comfort, stereotypes, family, and pressure of being a working woman. The themes are divided into subthemes further supported by direct quotes from the participants. The main themes present how the interviewed women perceive that there are some people in Saudi Arabia who still carry and produce dated opinions about women. According to the women these opinions affect some Saudi women’s opportunities, self-esteem, and freedom of choice. The interviews indicate that the barriers for women pursuing a STEM career in Saudi Arabia are complex and while some barriers are very individual, some are also collectively experienced. Based on the findings, this thesis suggests focusing on educating men, making pursuing a career and earning own money more accessible for women, continuing championing women in STEM, developing policies to support equity in the workplace, as well as finding ways to increase contact between men and women before they enter the office as necessary priorities for Nokia Saudi.