Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030’s Compatibility with Women and Children’s Contributions to National Development

Empowered women are a major factor in advancing towards progress and prosperity via national development. But national development plans have received very limited academic analysis. A quantitative descriptive research design was used to discern what actually exists in Saudi Arabia’s recent national development plan ( Vision 2030 ) relative to women, childhood, and families as agents of development. Content analysis results revealed that Vision 2030 contained numerous and varied mention of women and children (and families) in all three themes (vibrant society, thriving economy and ambitious nation) and five dimensions of national development: educational, cultural, social, health and technological. Future implementation of the plan should continue to respect the powerful rhetoric therein and ensure continued support to women by educating and empowering them to fully assume their self-desired role to be pivotal agents in national development.