What are the job opportunities in banks for expatriate women?

Question

I am a banker in India . I will be relocating to Riyadh since my husband is working there. I would like ot know the career options for expatriate women especially in Banking

Answer 1

None.

Well... almost none. I looked into moving into Riyahd and found that my wife, who is professional and made more money than me, would essentially not be able to work. This isn't to say that women CAN'T get a job in Saudi, but it is very difficult.

First, it is one of the most male dominated societies in the world and the Wahhabists segregate the genders. Women are prohibited from riding in cars with a man who is not their relative. You won't be allowed into a bank unless it has a women-only branch. You won't be able to go into a restaraunt unless it has "family" section. You won't be able to go outside unaccompanied, unless you live in a compound.

Now I know of some Saudi women who do work, but they tend to work for charities, the government and retail shops in women-only malls. And these were Saudi women. Chances for expatriate women is even lower. I have never heard of an expatriate woman getting a job in Saudi (except as a teacher).
No, my dear. You may be professional, smart, rich, experienced and wise... but you are just a woman in that society's eyes.

Expect to stay at home with the kids. While they were offering a huge salary for me to move my family to Riyahd. Just enjoy your life in the compound.

(Later addendum: I forgot to add that there is an ethnic pecking order in Saudi Arabia. Saudis are on top of the pyramid followed by other Sunnis, followed by Shiites then Westerners, then followed by a pecking order of ethnicities largely based upon how rich the countries are/what jobs those ethnicities tend to do in Saudi. For example, Pakistanis, Yemenis and Bangladeshi are seen as in the middle because they are Muslim, but not on top because they do construction. Phillipinos tend to get the shaft because they are usually Catholic construction workers. I am not sure about Indians, but my guess is that they are somewhere near the bottom. I'm not trying to be alarmist, but that's the way it is.)