A Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) is a small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more U.S. citizen women who manage its daily operations and make long-term decisions. This designation is often used for government contracting purposes. Globally, women-owned businesses are a significant and growing economic force, representing 39.1% of all businesses and nearly doubling the growth rate of men-owned businesses from 2019 to 2023. They are active in innovation, trade, investment, and social impact. In Saudi Arabia, the number of women-owned businesses increased by over 60% between 2016 and 2023, owning over 25% of registered SMEs, particularly in e-commerce, fashion, beauty tech, wellness, edtech, and food delivery, supported by Vision 2030 initiatives.
