SAUDI ARABIA’S SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY: THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF GENDER EQUALITY UNDER VISION 2030

Abstract

This research paper analyses the concept of gender inclusion and its effect on performance, equity, and sustainability in the context of the emerging blue economy in Saudi Arabia through a mixed-methods research design incorporating the workforce statistics, institutional data, regional comparisons, and interview on the stakeholders. Research findings show that there is high gender inequality in the maritime industries with women's involvement being centered in conservation, research, and technologically oriented activities whereas offshore fishery, port usage, and industrial maritime sectors are dominated by men. The eight presented detailed tables and eight figures illustrate how structural barriers which include cultural norms, lack of gender-sensitive infrastructure and accessibility to sea-time training continue to retard the progress of women even as there is a growing interest and enrolment to maritime education programs. It is also interesting to note that mixed-gender teams are always better in terms of environmental monitoring, performance accuracy, compliance, and safety, which is tangible evidence of performance advantages of a gender-driven team. Localised socio-economic relationships indicate that female participation and cultural acceptance are greater in Red Sea regions than in Gulf regions. The institutional readiness tests also indicate that there is disparate application of gender-responsive policies, where research institutions are the ones who are ahead in inclusion frameworks. On the whole, the research comes to a conclusion that gender inclusion is not merely a social equity requirement but also a strategic factor of operational performance, environmental stewardship and sustainable economic development in the blue economy. Gender-biased policy reforms, greater training opportunities, and investment in gender-sensitive maritime infrastructure to support equitable and high-impact female involvement in all areas of the marine industry are highlighted in the findings.