Muscat – A youth leadership programme for young Omani women announced the launch of its second edition – Sidrah 2.0 – on Monday.

The programme aims to cultivate and enhance the skills of Oman’s talented youth after the outstanding success of its first edition in 2022.

Sidrah 2.0, co-designed and co-run by Lahunna Oman and Outward Bound Oman, brings together a diverse group of young women aged 20-30 from across the sultanate, and is open to students, recent graduates, jobseekers, and young professionals.

The programme is intended to provide participants with confidence, resilience, and leadership qualities required to become the next generation of transformational leaders. Through a combination of experiential learning, workshops, mentorship, community building and career coaching, Sidrah 2.0 aims to create a transformative learning experience and ignites a life-long thirst for continuous learning, a press release stated.

Participants will engage in activities and courses that promote self-awareness, self-reliance, perseverance, networking, and effective teamwork during the course of the six-month programme. ‘This will establish a feeling of greater purpose and a service-oriented perspective in participants, allowing them to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.’

Sidrah 2.0 has been enhanced with a coaching initiative in partnership with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) – Oman Chapter. Participants will benefit from three-six months of group and one-to-one career coaching sessions, providing invaluable support and guidance as they navigate their personal and professional journeys.

Shatha Salim al Maskiry, Founder of Lahunna, said, “After the success of our first edition, we aim to offer our young Omani women a profound journey that inspires them to shape their own future. After setting such a wonderful precedent last year with our partner Outward Bound Oman, we have expanded the programme’s scope to allow us to properly invest in the next generation of leaders who will carry the torch of progress and play a vibrant role in serving the national priorities of Oman’s Vision 2040.” 

“Bringing onboard ICF coaches is a crucial step in serving as guiding lights by providing the participants with invaluable support to illuminate their path and unlock their true potential as they embark on a life-changing journey,” she added.

Sidrah 2.0 incorporates two phases. Phase I consists of an 11-day experiential learning and values-based leadership workshop at the Outward Bound Oman Jabal Akhdar Training Centre, where participants engage in interactive sessions, simulations, roleplays, and team-building activities to develop their leadership skills and discover a sense of purpose and pride in how they can positively contribute to their community.

Phase II will compromise of an online module followed by one on one career coaching sessions with ICF coaches, to support their transition from education to the workforce, and equip them with the confidence needed to make informed personal and professional decisions to build successful lives.

Mark Evans, executive director of Outward Bound Oman, said, “The power of our partnership with Lahunna Oman shows that together we can create a legacy and Sidrah 2.0 aims to be a catalyst in the longer term that transforms ideas into action. We aspire to continuously pave an inspiring learning path for the youth to find their inner calling and contribute to a brighter future.”

Ali al Lawati, SLB managing director for Oman, Pakistan & Yemen, said, “It is an honour to join Sidrah 2.0 as the strategic partner. We followed the first edition with great interest as we are firm believers in the power of investing in the young generation and in particular women. We are confident that through such programs, we are co-creating a brighter future for us all.”

Sidrah was launched in Oman in June 2022 to create a safe space for young women to share their unique experiences and dissolve their self-limiting beliefs. By striking a balance between theoretical concepts and practical exercises, the program aims to equip them with future of work skills in problem-solving, change leadership, character development, and service learning, by reinforcing Omani values, social responsibility and citizenship.