المملكة: Statistics: Only 27% of family businesses adopt clear policies for the participation of female owners

Recent data revealed that only 27% of family businesses in the Kingdom adopt clear policies to activate the participation of women owners within their administrative and control structures, an indicator that reflects a regulatory gap that still affects Efficiency of governance and the sustainability of this vital sector, despite the legislative and economic transformations that the Kingdom is witnessing in support of women’s empowerment.

This came during the Women’s Council in Family Enterprises, which was organized by the National Center for Family Enterprises, in partnership with the Family Business Association “Tharaa” in the Eastern Province, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Abeer bint Faisal bin Turki, Chair of the Trustees of the Eastern Province Council for Social Responsibility “Absr”, under the title “Investment and Finance.” And strategic decision-making.”

Empowering Women in Family Enterprises

The Council’s convening came to confirm that the file Empowering women in family enterprises is no longer an organizational luxury or a secondary option, but rather has become one of the main axes for the sustainability of these economic entities, in light of the influential weight that family businesses constitute in the national economy. The Council witnessed the presence of an elite group of female speakers and specialists in the fields of investment, governance and financial management, where they discussed the different dimensions of the role of women owners, the limits of their participation, and the challenges that hinder their transition from a position of ownership to a position of influence and decision-making.

During the Council, the results of a recent study were reviewed that shed light on the reality of the policies adopted to activate The role of women owners within family businesses. The numbers showed a clear gap between recognizing women as owners of assets and actually enabling them to exercise an influential economic role. The study revealed that less than a third of family enterprises have clear and announced policies aimed at activating the participation of women owners, while a percentage of these policies are applied partially or irregularly, while nearly half of family enterprises lack any regulatory framework that defines the role of women within the administrative or supervisory system.

These numbers do not reflect a weakness in families’ belief in the role of women as much as they reveal the absence of institutional organization and the postponement of resolution in family governance issues, which makes women’s participation dependent on individual efforts and relationships. Family law, instead of it being a right organized within the family charter.

The most prominent challenges

The study indicated that one of the most prominent challenges is the gap between legal rights and economic reality. Islamic law guarantees women their full right to inheritance, making them a true partner in the ownership of assets within family businesses. However, the real challenge begins when translating this ownership into effective economic contribution, whether at the level of executive management or supervision and control.

Despite the legislative and regulatory developments that the Kingdom has witnessed that have supported women’s presence in the labor market and investment, many family enterprises have not yet absorbed these transformations within their internal systems, which opens the door to future family disputes. It negatively affects the stability of companies and their smooth transition between generations.

Forms of women’s contribution to the business sector

The Council’s interlocutors stressed that empowering women owners does not necessarily mean pushing them into executive work, but rather begins with determining the path that suits their desire and abilities, which requires family and institutional awareness of the importance of distributing roles.
Some women owners may prefer to engage in daily operational work and contribute to developing the business from within, while others may find that their role is more appropriate It is represented in supervision and control through membership of the Board of Directors, which enhances the application of the principles of governance and transparency.

This diversity of roles is considered a positive factor if well organized, as it contributes to achieving a balance between the interests of the family and work requirements, and reduces the overlap of powers that often confuse the performance of family businesses.

For his part, the CEO of the National Center for Family Enterprises, Dr. "Blessed Aid"The organization of the Women’s Council comes within a strategic direction aimed at supporting and empowering women in family enterprises, and enhancing their contribution to economic development. He pointed out that the Center is keen to establish such councils and forums that allow for the exchange of experiences, building leadership capabilities, and raising the level of awareness of the importance of family governance as a tool to ensure sustainability.

He explained "Blessed" Empowering women is not limited to granting them a position or capacity, but rather begins with qualifying them as responsible owners, possessing the knowledge and skills necessary to understand financial statements, make investment decisions, and participate in drawing up the organization’s strategic directions.

The impact of the presence of women in leadership positions

The results of the report highlighted that the presence of women in leadership and supervisory positions within family companies is directly reflected in the level of control and compliance, as women tend to adopt a more conservative approach to risk management, in addition to possessing a high degree of intelligence. Emotional, which helps bring viewpoints closer together within one family.

The female presence also contributes to expanding the horizons of strategic thinking, given women’s deep understanding of family needs and consumption trends, which adds a social and human dimension to investment decisions, and reduces excessive confidence bias that may appear in some traditional leaders.

At the conclusion of the report, the study stressed that improving the reality of women’s ownership participation requires real investment in training and development, in addition to the inclusion of clear employment policies. Family members – women and men – within the family charter, in a way that ensures transparency, defines roles, and establishes a stable transition between generations.

This movement comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing an unprecedented growth in women’s economic participation, as the latest Ministry of Commerce data showed that women accounted for nearly half of the new commercial registrations issued during the fourth quarter of 2025, with a remarkable presence in strategic sectors such as construction and manufacturing industry, which reflects a radical shift in the nature of women’s investments, and confirms that women Saudi Arabia has become an active partner in the national economy, not just a beneficiary of its growth.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter