MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman will celebrate Omani Women's Day on Friday, which falls on October 17 every year with Omani women being equal partners in the march of renaissance and comprehensive development in the Sultanate of Oman. Women in Oman have taken on distinctive roles in various social, cultural, economic and sports fields. The Observer caught up with enterprising ladies to reflect on the day.
Omama al Lawati is known for her actions in support of the Palestinian cause. When asked where she derives her strength to boldly sail for 20 days to reach aid to Gaza, she said, "I think we all have principles in our lives. We have values that guide us, and for me, it was always telling the truth, no matter what happens. Don't be distracted by lifestyles. What others do can be distracting, even trends. But we should not get distracted. In Oman, we always count on women to make the right decisions in boycotting because women make the buying decisions." "If we have the strength to bring up kids, raise them, give them good values, and teach them, we have the strength to do anything. I'm not saying that as a woman, you should give up your female identity, but you need to be strong because your kids will learn that from you, your community, and the people around you. We always say in Arabic that the mother is the first school in a child's life. So this is really true. We get all our inspiration, confidence and value from our family firsthand," she added.
RESILIENCE AND COMPASSION
Nutaila al Kharousi, managing director at Al Harub Medical Centre and is a psychotherapist specialising in anxiety disorders, parenting issues, and trauma, who is now a PhD student investigating chronic adverse social withdrawal among Omanis.
According to Nutaila, the strength of a woman is not in how loud she is or how much she achieves by external standards; it is in her quiet resilience, her compassion, and her ability to hold space for others while still showing up for herself. A woman’s strength is in her empathy, intuition, and capacity to nurture even in the midst of chaos.
She reflected, "I wish more women would celebrate these qualities instead of comparing themselves to how men measure success. We don’t need to use the same metrics: our power looks different, and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful." She pointed out that this year, she finds herself reflecting on how far Omani women have come. They are strong, educated, and deeply rooted in values that balance ambition with grace.
Umaima al Ajmi, an established author whose books focus on self-development, said, "A woman’s strength shines through her love, creativity, and courage to keep going no matter what. She inspires others with her gentle heart and strong spirit, turning every challenge into a lesson and every dream into a goal." This year’s Omani Women’s Day holds a special meaning for her as a writer and an Omani woman." "It reminds me of how far we, as women, have come, balancing our dreams with our responsibilities and proving that our voices matter. Through my books, I aim to inspire others to believe in their inner strength and to follow their dreams with confidence. This day is a celebration of every woman’s journey, her words, her work, and her passion, and a reminder that each of us contributes to the story of Oman’s growth and pride," she added.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Lujaina al Hinai, Marketing Department Team at Oman REFCO, said, "At Oman REFCO, we believe that empowering women is essential to building stronger communities and a more prosperous nation. Omani Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate not only the achievements of women across Oman but also their growing contribution to shaping the country’s future.
"We just concluded the Oman REFCO Women’s Football Tournament, which brought together talented female players from schools and academies across the Sultanate of Oman. The tournament provided a platform for women to develop their skills, showcase their talents, and pursue their passion for sports — reflecting Oman’s vision of enabling Omani women to thrive in every field and supporting the next generation of national talent," she said.
"We remain committed to supporting initiatives that inspire inclusion, nurture local talent, and create meaningful opportunities for women and youth to grow. We are committed to advancing social development through partnerships and programmes that encourage participation, confidence, and leadership to ensure Omani women remain at the heart of the nation’s progress," she added.
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