Abstract:

The role of women in the Gulf societies has been under the influence of dramatic transformation in economy and social life in the last 30 years. The aim of the study is to examine the changing role of women in economic, political and cultural life in the Gulf societies. In the study three Gulf countries, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are taken as examples. The tiny country of the Gulf, Qatar, has conservative local tradition but at the same time has witnessed a rapid change in its economic, social and political life. The UAE has become the heart of economic activities in the region and is trying to integrate herself in to the global world. Saudi Arabia is the most traditional country in the Gulf and women's rights in Saudi Arabia have been severely restricted. So, it is worth to investigate the transformation of the women’s role in these three different Gulf countries. Also in the study, the influence of royal women on the modernization of women in the Gulf is discussed. Findings of the study reveal similarities and differences for the changing roles of women in these countries. 

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