“Omani Women’s Day, celebrated on October 17th each year, is a day dedicated to honouring the achievements and contributions of women in the Sultanate of Oman,” DR FATMA MOHAMMED AL-BALUSHI, director-general of museums affairs, at The National Museum, said in remarks made to the Purple online. “It highlights their vital role in society, economy, and various sectors, affirming their importance in nation-building,” she said.
Serves as a reminder
“It serves as a reminder of the progress made and the ongoing efforts needed to further enhance their roles within Omani society as well as international attendance.”
Invaluable contributions
“By celebrating Omani Women’s Day, the nation acknowledges the invaluable contributions of women and encourages the continued pursuit of their rights and leadership in all spheres of life,” Dr Fatma added. The growth and advancement of Omani women in recent years have been significant and positive, Dr Fatma noted. “There has been a remarkable increase in the number of Omani women pursuing higher education. “Women now constitute a substantial proportion of university graduates, particularly in fields like medicine, engineering, business and arts,” she said. Also, Omani women have increasingly entered the workforce, taking on roles in various sectors, including government, healthcare, education, and the private sector, she added.
EXCERPTS:
Women’s Day generally brings forth many thoughts: women’s equality/gender parity; women’s rights’ and the foremost need to break the bias (against women). Here, in Oman, could we say that it is more than just celebrating womanhood; here it is celebrating the success (various types of success, not just the monetary kind) of Omani women and also the unique integration between the two genders, who are working together to achieve a better future for Oman? Your thoughts on this.
Omani Women’s Day, celebrated on October 17th each year, is a day dedicated to honouring the achievements and contributions of women in the Sultanate of Oman. It highlights their vital role in society, economy, and various sectors, affirming their importance in nation-building.
The day features various activities, including cultural events, and educational seminars that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. It serves as a reminder of the progress made and the ongoing efforts needed to further enhance their roles within Omani society as well as international attendance.
By celebrating the Omani Women’s Day, the nation acknowledges the invaluable contributions of women and encourages the continued pursuit of their rights and leadership in all spheres of life.
The celebration activities vary from one organisation to another. Some organisations host educational seminars and workshops to discuss women’s issues, leadership, and various topics that promote female empowerment and personal development. Art exhibitions are also held – which helps showcase works by Omani women artists and entrepreneurs to highlight their talents and contributions to the arts and business sectors.
In addition, there are often online campaigns that raise awareness about women’s achievements and share inspiring stories of Omani women from various backgrounds. Furthermore, recognition ceremonies and awards are held to honour outstanding women in different fields, acknowledging their contributions to society. Last but not the least, the Omani government may launch initiatives or policies aimed at further empowering women and enhancing their roles in society. These celebrations not only recognise past achievements but also encourage ongoing support for women’s empowerment and equality in the country.
How would you view the growth and advancement of Omani women in the last many years?
The growth and advancement of Omani women in recent years have been significant and positive. There has been a remarkable increase in the number of Omani women pursuing higher education. Women now constitute a substantial proportion of university graduates, particularly in fields like medicine, engineering, business and arts.
Also, Omani women have increasingly entered the workforce, taking on roles in various sectors, including government, healthcare, education, and the private sector. The government has implemented policies to encourage female employment and reduce barriers to women’s participation in the labour market and we can see that clearly in the new labour law.
In addition, Omani women are gradually assuming leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. More women are being appointed to senior roles, and their representation in decision-making processes has improved, contributing to more inclusive governance.
Furthermore, there has been a surge in female entrepreneurs in Oman, supported by various initiatives that provide training, funding, and mentorship. Women are increasingly starting their own businesses, contributing to economic diversification and job creation.
Finally, legislative advancements have been made to promote gender equality and empower women. These legal frameworks support women’s participation in various aspects of society, including politics and business.
Overall, the growth and advancement of Omani women reflect a broader commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in Oman. The government, along with civil society, is actively working to ensure that these advancements continue, providing a supportive environment for future generations of women.
With regards to the advancement, would you say that today the Omani women are on par with other women of the world? If not, what more should be done?
While Omani women have made commendable progress, continued efforts in different areas can further empower them and promote greater equality to align with best practices and policies of empowering women in many other countries. For example, Omani women are still underrepresented in parliament positions compared to women in many countries that have implemented gender quotas or specific policies promoting female leadership.
Engaging various stakeholders like government, civil society, private sector, and the community will be key to advancing the role of Omani women and aligning it with different convictions and agreements concerning women empowerment.
About:
Dr Fatma Al Balushi was selected as one among ‘100 Successful Omani Women’ in 2021. She was the Smart Cities’ ambassador – it won the best creative initiative in capacity building and innovation award by ITU in 2020. She was a mentor at the Government Performance Accelerator programme where the electronic cadastral drawing project was awarded the second slot in 2018. She has been the Information Safety Ambassador since 2020.
Others include: Registration of copyrights for intellectual property in/out Oman; vice-president for entrepreneurship committee at the Omani Women’s Association-Muscat in 2023.
She is the author of “Therayat Taliba Muqtaraeeba” and “The Way Towards PhD”. She is a member of the Supervisory and Organising Committee of the “Eshraqa Ahad” initiative in 2024. She is also the team member of the workgroup for including Omani states in the Global Network of Learning Cities at Unesco in 2024.
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