Women in the Sultanate of Oman are showing their technological advancement and emerging digitally smart. They are standing out at a time when the world is celebrating International Women's Day (March 8).
Oman Observer took the views of some women in the sector. They came out with valuable suggestions to get empowered in this competitive world, as a large number of women in the country are in the technology industry.
Duha Awayes, Country Director for IT Consulting Protiviti Oman
The number of women in the technology industry and tech entrepreneurs has significantly grown over the past decade worldwide. Women in the Middle East are actively taking on jobs in artificial intelligence, data science, and software engineering. We also see more Omani women entering cybersecurity, digitalization and project management, as well as taking on leadership roles. I believe the digital world can easily close gender gaps because performance and talent matter more now than ever before, and this will precisely provide women with more opportunities to excel.
Khawther al Harthy, Arabic Translator, and Instructor
I always wanted to leave something behind, something that is unforgettable, something I can help with and change someone's life. Yes, I am a woman, Omani, and I want to show my gratitude to my beloved country by being more productive.
I was called by an ambassador when I was representing my college. Since then, I have truly believed in myself and called myself the ambassador of my country. Nowadays, you can represent your country not by traveling around the world but by using technology well. You can create and invent an application or any solution sitting at home. I thought of investing in my knowledge and experience in translation and languages (Arabic and English) for children diagnosed with ADHD, and I found a way to support them! The digital world helps us put all our efforts together and support each other.
I wanted to be empowered not because I'm a woman, but because of what I contribute to the world to be a better place and a factor in creating harmony between people from all levels.
Veronica Sade Ogunsakin, Volunteer
Fundamentally in the digital world, workplace gender bias is always obvious toward women. In the digital world, women appear to be relegated to the backstage, mostly in developing worlds such as Asia, Africa and the Middle East. There are shortages of women workforce in the digital world due to a lack of awareness.
Mentors and role models are required to encourage women folks; therefore, in celebrating International Women's Day, mainly in this part of the world, the focus should be on publishing the names of those women that have broken the gender barrier in the digital world.
By crawling, a child learns to stand; as such, regular seminars are required to educate younger women because what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Karen Jane, Masters student
We are living through a transformation in the world of work. "Thinking machines" are replacing human tasks and jobs and changing the skills organisations need to succeed. However, technology access is unevenly distributed.
Giant or medium firms must make sure all their employees – regardless of gender – have the chance to succeed. They will need to focus on gender diversity by internally training their employees. Equal opportunities to learn new skills that can increase the awareness of women and budding students regarding their rights and civic engagement. Therefore, the need for inclusive, transformative technology and digital education is crucial for us women to achieve a sustainable future.
Shilpa Pawani, Chairperson, Women member’s Empowerment sub-committee Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Muscat Chapter
On this International Women's Day, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes to all the remarkable women out there. May your passion and drive lead you to achieve your goals, and may your smiles radiate positivity and inspire others. Remember, you are remarkable. As we celebrate women's achievements and empowerment, let us not forget the importance of financial independence. Every woman should have the knowledge and resources to take control of her financial future, and I am committed to promoting financial literacy and management among women, both personally and professionally. I strongly believe that financial independence is crucial for women's empowerment, and it provides a sense of freedom and security that can positively impact their lives and families.
In Oman, we have a shared commitment to empowering women and promoting gender equality through our Vision for 2040. I am proud to be part of a country that values women's empowerment and encourages women to take on leadership roles. As we celebrate this special day, let us all remember to smile from the heart and spread joy and positivity. Together, let's continue to work towards creating a world where all women can thrive and achieve their full potential, both personally and financially.
“Being a woman and having a career means being prepared always. It needs a lot of preparation- first yourself and then the family. But the point is to never give up.
Being part of the digital world? She is ready and she can participate in every way. All she has to do is be organized. I wish all women continue with their dream because this is her life,” Khoula Al -Khattab Al Kindi, Soil, and Water researcher said.
“The family is her motivation for her to be better in life. So when she is doing better the family will do well too.
When it comes to digital technology, COVID-19 taught us how technology can be helpful from zoom meetings to e-commerce,” she pointed out.
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