Saudi Women Cultural Cafe

Pioneering Saudi women have made great strides in the fields of arts and culture and business. Nadia Al Etebi is one example. Ms. Etebi came up with the idea of establishing a women-only café in Jeddah called it ‘Best Mix’.

Al Etebi: “Women always want to gather in a place where they hear about new ideas or listen to a successful woman or talented student share her story.”

The women’s café is not a place where you’ll find women sitting idle with their coffee cups and lipsticks, gossiping about others. The café provides a platform for Saudi women to serve their community as well discuss various issues that affect them.

Al Etebi: “We don’t offer Shisha, cigarettes nor do we play music. Some may find this overwhelming but we do have a marketing plan for the entire year.”

Best Mix offers courses where women can learn skills as diverse as cooking or marketing which can aid in seeking employment opportunities.

Al Etebi: “My goal is to employ Saudi cadres. And my second goal is to improve a woman’s knowledge by providing her with information on new things happening around us.”

Nadia Al Etebi’s success story is a testament to how Saudi women can function successfully and independently. Ms. Etebi says that she wants to transform women get togethers from gossiping sessions to cultural ones where they can create avenues for better futures and dare to dream the impossible.

Original Report: Saud Al Khalaf
Translation: Shounaz Mekky

Speaker:
Nadia Al Etebi

Voice:
Nadia Idriss Mayen
Shounaz Mekky