Introduction to the Qura Program and Support for Working Women
The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) has revealed promising statistics reflecting the success of government efforts to support and empower Saudi women in the labor market. The "Qurrah" program, which supports childcare for working mothers, achieved record numbers during the first quarter, with a total of 15,668 beneficiaries across Saudi Arabia, and over 20,068 children benefiting from this support. This high demand underscores the program's importance in meeting the needs of working mothers and providing a safe environment for their children.
General context and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The Qurrah initiative is an integral part of the comprehensive national strategy adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia within the objectives of Vision 2030. Historically, childcare costs have been one of the most significant challenges and obstacles facing women when considering joining or remaining in the workforce. Therefore, the Human Resources Development Fund launched this national program to overcome these obstacles, with the primary goals of increasing women's participation in the workforce, supporting their job stability, and alleviating the financial burden of childcare in approved centers.
Distribution of beneficiaries: Eastern Province leads
Official data and statistics revealed a disparity in the number of beneficiaries across the Kingdom's regions, with the Eastern Province topping the list as the most frequent beneficiary with 5,630 women. The capital, Riyadh, came in second with 4,776 beneficiaries, followed by the Makkah region with 2,854. The high population density and concentration of job opportunities and major companies in these three regions are attributed to their large numbers.
Following closely behind were the Madinah region, which ranked fourth with 706 beneficiaries, then the Qassim region with 568, and the Asir region with 399. The Hail, Najran, and Jazan regions recorded similar numbers, ranging between 136 and 158 beneficiaries. In contrast, the Tabuk, Al-Baha, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders regions had the lowest numbers, with no more than 76 beneficiaries each.
Terms and conditions of financial support in the Qura program
The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) provides generous financial support that contributes to covering up to 50% of childcare costs, with a maximum of SAR 1,600 per month per child. This support is available indefinitely, provided that a set of basic criteria are met to ensure that the support reaches those who are eligible. These criteria include that the child be between the ages of newborn and six years, that the mother be registered with the social insurance system and actively employed, and that her registered monthly salary not exceed SAR 8,000.
Expected economic and social impact
The impact of the Qurrah program extends beyond direct financial support for mothers, creating a wide-ranging economic and social impact. Locally, the program stimulates investment in childcare centers and nurseries, generating new job opportunities in this vital sector. It also enhances the quality of care provided to children in their early years. Regionally and internationally, these initiatives highlight the Kingdom's commitment to empowering women and reducing the gender gap in the labor market, which positively impacts the Kingdom's global economic indicators and rankings.
