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There's been reports of announced plans for a women-only city in Saudi Arabia. For example: Saudi Arabia plans new city for women workers only from The Guardian.

Al Arabiya claimed (on August 15, 2012) that the press release stated the city would not be for females only. This was mentioned in a blog post on Al Jazeera.

Middle eastern media still seems to be talking about the press release as if it's for females only, based on Women-only industrial cities welcomed (dated August 31, 2012).

Who's right?

Any announcements, past or present, of female-only cities in Saudi Arabia will be acceptable for this question.

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    I'm surprised you didn't just come straight to TSE asking "How can I travel there?" XD
    – Fiksdal
    Dec 12, 2016 at 4:20
  • 1
    @Fiksdal because if something is too good to be true, it probably is!
    – Andrew Grimm
    Dec 12, 2016 at 8:42
  • how is the word "nekkid" not part of the equation here?
    – PoloHoleSet
    Mar 22, 2017 at 14:06
  • @PoloHoleSet because Saudi Arabia, that's why.
    – Andrew Grimm
    Mar 22, 2017 at 22:34

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No, Saudi Arabia has not announced plans for a women-only city.

The Guardian article only says that all the workers in the cities will be women. Not all the residents. And that's based on a misreading of the original press-release, which makes it clear that there will be opportunities for female and male entrepreneurs, female and male employees, and female and male residents.

The original press release from MODON, the Saudi Industrial Property Authority, that the news outlets based their articles on, says (my emphasis):

MODON begins Planning and Development for the First Industrial City being readied for Women in the Kingdom

Al-Ahsa 2nd Industrial City will create job opportunities for both men and women

MODON has initiated works for planning and development of the first industrial city being readied for women workers in the Kingdom. It will be launched in Al-Ahsa 2nd Industrial city which is located in Hofuf near Al-Ahsa airport.

According to preliminary studies, the area allocated for Al-Ahsa 2nd will accommodate approximately 50 industrial projects. MODON will provide land at discounted rates to businessmen and businesswomen to establish their industrial or service projects. They will have the option to choose the type of industry on specific terms of preservation of the environment and safety of workers. Special sections and production halls will be reserved for women within the factory, i. e, the city is not closed or not intended for women only.

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