Women are at the helm of a number of departments in varied sectors today, showing the level of trust His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the country have in them. As the country celebrates Omani Women’s Day on Tuesday, Muscat Daily spoke with women achievers from diverse fields on their journeys and vision for Oman.

Razan Hamad al Kalbani

An electrical engineer at PDO, she won the grand prize at an international competition held in South Korea beating 353 innovators from 18 countries.

“There are many opportunities for women currently in Oman. Women must seize these opportunities. If there is any scope of increasing these opportunities, I’ll point to the fields of entrepreneurship, healthcare, research and critical thinking. 

“Engagement and inventions in these fields can attract international attention to Oman and its people, which can result in getting huge investments. This will increase confidence in Omanis and facilitate their elevation to higher positions in leading companies around the world. The government will be encouraged to frame new rules and open more doors in the fields of research and innovation.”

Alia al Mughairi

National longer jump record holder, she has won several medals at Arab and regional competitions.

“Women need more opportunities, especially in the field of sports, as they are not represented enough. Giving women more chances to participate in sports will empower and encourage others to chase their dreams.

“I have tried my best to contribute to the sports community through my training, medals and records. But, I believe all Omani sportswomen have done the same, and they all have a role in improving the sports environment for women.”

Yasmeen al Alawi

Founder of Sprout, she won the first She’s Next programme conducted in Oman by Visa and Bank Muscat for her pioneering healthy food business. 

“It’s very important for us to give back to society, especially for those who’ve been supported by scholarships. I think it’s always about the first step; women can take this initial leap and decide whether it aligns with their passion and aspirations.

“Empowerment is about recognising one’s capabilities, irrespective of gender. It’s crucial for us to realise that women are just as capable as men.

“Having studied in Australia and Tokyo, I didn’t choose to stay abroad. My intent was clear – to contribute to my own country. I want to showcase my passion to the world and demonstrate that women can excel in various fields. 

“My biggest support comes from my family, especially my husband. A strong support network can take you a long way.

“Personally, I’m particularly keen on witnessing more women venture into entrepreneurship. To be frank, the landscape is quite male-dominated. In my restaurant groups, for instance, out of 300 members, there might be only three women. This gender disparity extends beyond the restaurant industry to various other fields. 

“I believe the government should provide more support and encouragement to women. Witnessing women in prominent positions is crucial for representation. 

“I think it’s crucial for the government to offer increased support and encouragement to women. The presence of women in influential roles is vital for proper representation.

“The implementation of a mentorship programme, where seasoned individuals guide the younger generation, has the potential to create a substantial impact. I strongly believe that, with sufficient support systems in place, women can attain even more remarkable achievements. The government’s active engagement in fostering increased representation and providing support for mentorship programmes and various initiatives is vital. 

“Gender bias is undoubtedly prevalent, especially in male-dominated fields. Being in such an environment can be challenging. 

“I believe change begins with altering the mindset that perpetuates these biases, demonstrating that it’s not only acceptable for women to enter these fields but that they are fully capable and already making significant contributions. 

“My journey has been about overcoming challenges. Having previously worked in engineering in the oil sector, I noticed a shift in mindset when men witnessed women succeeding in such roles. However, resistance still exists in some quarters. I personally faced opposition, being told that I couldn’t enter the field because of my gender. I persisted until I not only entered but led the team. This experience consolidated my belief that women should push their barriers.”

Rawan al Mahrouqi

An artist and proprietor of Makan Studio, she is on a mission to propagate art among people of all ages and nationalities in Oman. She teaches sketching, painting and sculpting alongside an expert team. 

“To mark Omani Women’s Day, Makan Studio has opened a month-long joint exhibition Art in Pages by Omani and international women artists in Oman, besides a few male artists. 

“This unique exhibition provides an intimate look into each artist’s mind – some are filled with scribbles and doodles, some are more intentional, while others tell stories. 

“The exhibition, which opened on October 10, features Amira al Musalmi, Debjani Bhardwaj, Pragya Bhatnagar, Maria Golubkova, Tarini Agarwal, Thuraya al Zubair, Nuha al Khusaibi, Leena al Kiyumi, Maryam al Alawi, Shalini Gupta Kumar, Rozita Nosrati, Wadhah al Rashdi, Fajer al Akhzami and myself, besides Salem Afifi, Mohammed al Attar (Mimoon Art), Ibrahim al Balushi and Siamak Dehbod. 

“Women are an integral part of any society; any society that does not allow women’s participation will not flourish. A common hurdle women, especially young women, face is not being taken seriously enough. 

“Gender bias is a common human experience. Women are the only ones able to bear children yet they may face discrimination, such as not getting hired because one is pregnant.

“In order for art and culture to grow, there needs to be more than one outlet and source. There is need for multiple institutions for multiple artists.

“My husband has been my biggest supporter since Day 1. He has always believed in me and my vision. And I’m very grateful for that. We are just getting started.”

Balqees Sulieman al Hassani

President of community knowledge sharing platform Knowledge Oman, she has been in the education field for over 15 years. Balqees heads the Well-Being and Student Support Services of Al Sahwa School. 

“Today, Omani women have a notable presence in many spheres of life and have been appointed to many of the highest offices. Under the wise leadership of our late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, which has continued under His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Omani women have been given equal opportunities to prove themselves in both the public and private sectors. H M Sultan Haitham has been supporting Omani women to rise and participate in different walks of life to make the best of their potential and education so they can have a role in contributing to the wealth of the country and be pillars in nation building.

“At Knowledge Oman, women are given equal opportunities to prove their potential. I have been President of Knowledge Oman for the past two years, and before that, Knowledge Oman was run by another female president as well. Today, many functions of Knowledge Oman are run by women. We continue to support, develop and acknowledge women’s strengths and potential. We at Knowledge Oman empower youth with knowledge and skills equipping them to be part of our country’s development.

“Women need to be provided equal opportunities and empowered to prosper in various fields. Family support, presence of role models and encouragement have always been a positive influence for women to progress at the workplace or start their own business ventures. Some traditional practices still restrict women to their maternal/domestic role, making it difficult for them to strike work-life balance. Some old practices are preventing women from unleashing their full potential in social and economic participation.”