Tuesday 06 / May / 2025
Muscat: Work hard and do not give up on your dreams, is the advice of some of Oman’s top women as they mark Omani Women’s Day.
These are the same Omani women who are today in important positions to bring about positive social and economic change to benefit everyone in the country.
According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information, more than 13,000 women graduated from higher education institutions last year, including 337 women from outside the Sultanate, while 7,245 graduated from private higher education institutions in Oman and 6,249 from government higher education institutions.
Additionally, there are more than 140,000 women working in the private and government sectors, of which 82,038 women work in the government sector and 60,667 work in the private sector.
From leading government officials to healthcare professionals and businesswomen, women in Oman who have made successes of themselves say determination in whatever you do, and pursuing your passions, are what matter in reaching long-term success.
Dr Suad Al Lawatiya today serves as Vice Chairperson of the State Council of Oman. Personally appointed to that post by HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 2015, she became the first woman to reach such a high position, which in turn motivated her to give more to the country. Al Lawatiya has taken steps to encourage the advancement of women in the Sultanate, including the development of the Omani Women’s Association, enlarging Omani women’s positions at the Shura Council, and early testing for genetic diseases among school students.
“I faced a lot of challenges in my life,” she told Times of Oman. “The first was to leave my three-year old-daughter and pursue my studies in the United States. Secondly, I needed to learn how to establish student counselling centres, while working with few resources, but balancing between work and home has helped a lot. My dream and goal was to open a student counselling centre at Sultan Qaboos University, as well as counselling centres across Oman, to serve the citizens and residents of the country.
“Many times I submitted proposals that went straight into people’s drawers, but I never gave up,” added Al Lawatiya. “I did it again, but at a different time. You can do what you are passionate about if you have the will, and if you continue doing it and working on it.”
While Suad Al Lawatiya set up the nation’s first student counselling centre, it was HH Sayyida Basma Al Said who founded the country’s first mental health clinic. An advocate of mental health who has been working as a mental health counsellor and psychotherapist for 18 years, she has set up the Whispers of Serenity service to provide people the chance to unburden their minds and seek mental healthcare in the country.
She believes that all women are capable of doing things that they are passionate about if they focus and love what they do.
“It has to be something that is continuous and you find yourself in, and not something that you saw someone else doing and want to do the same,” she said.
Businesswomen in Oman have also made great strides in their fields. Having worked so hard to establish herself and get her business up and running, Shaima Al Lawati has learned much about what it takes to be successful, and was only too happy to share her views. She is the founder of Destination Sustainability, a company that provides consultation on how other organisations can run themselves in a manner that is both sustainable and rewarding to the environment, the community and the society.
“Whatever you work for, give 100 per cent and be sure to set clear goals in your life. Volunteer with any extra thing you have, and you will start seeing miracles!” she added. “No matter what you have studied, you can practice any type of job – knowledge is achieved by hard work. The key is to do what you like and give yourself the opportunity to flourish. Read a lot, whether for fun or knowledge.
“Believe in yourself, even if no one else does,” she added. “Think carefully before taking any decision. Once a decision is taken, act on it and never look back! We be successful at anything if we believe in it and give it 100 per cent of our efforts. It is extremely important to have a purpose in life and act on it, but above all, stay positive and attract positive energy. Then watch for signs given by God and accept them.”
Her view was shared by Jannat Moosa, the co-founder of Bin Mirza International, where she serves as marketing director. As the brains behind promoting global brands, such as Wagamama, Nando’s and Second Cup to the Sultanate, she said that remaining strong and not giving up hope is the most important factor in following your passions.
“It’s not easy, because what happens behind the scenes is very challenging. But if you work with passion, you will win,” she said. “Never give up, and when one door closes, have faith that another door opens. Use it to find your successful path. Being a woman in Oman will never be an issue, as women are treated equally and are empowered in many ways, so use it to your advantage and rise high.”
In addition to working hard and providing for their families, women in Oman are also regularly changing stereotypes.
Muna Al Riyami is the director of learning and development at Al Bustan Palace. After completing high school, she moved to Muscat to take a job as a receptionist to support her family.
“I skipped college because I had to start working and support my family. I didn’t blame anyone for this, but instead I decided to change things. I got my degree and now I’m on to my masters,” Al Riyami said.
“I started working as a receptionist and then moved to aviation, where I worked at Oman Air as cabin crew, and then I grew from there. Within four years I became one of the youngest flight managers. I moved up to the Senior Instructor Service Training position, where I had the honour of being the first Omani in the service department for in-flight operations.
“Some of us don’t always have the opportunity to do what we want to do in life, but that shouldn’t stop you from being passionate about what you do. It’s important to remember you are doing it for yourself, and not for acceptance,” she added.
