MUSCAT: The Omani Women’s Forum, held recently under the auspices of Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, served as a national platform for constructive dialogue aiming to develop practical initiatives that promote women’s empowerment and enhance their participation in sustainable development.
The event came as part of the national efforts to achieve Oman Vision 2040 by strengthening the role of Omani women in various sectors and enabling them to play an active role as partners in the nation’s progress.
Dr Auhoud al Balushi, Director of the Centre for Women and Society Studies, stated that the forum represents an open space for discussing challenges and opportunities and showcasing inspiring success stories of Omani women. She emphasised that the goal is to produce realistic recommendations that can be translated into tangible policies and initiatives.
The event featured two main panel discussions that tackled key topics on women’s empowerment and participation in society. The first session, titled 'Women and Decision-Making', discussed the importance of women’s participation in leadership, management and policymaking roles across different sectors. It also highlighted success stories of pioneering Omani women leaders. The panelists included Dr Jokha bint Abdullah al Shukailiyah, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (OAAAQA), Halima bint Rashid al Zariyah, Chairperson of the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED), and Areej bint Mohsen al Zaabiyah, Board Member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chair of the Chamber’s Women’s Committee. The session was moderated by Buthaina al Balushi from the Ministry of Information, who guided a discussion that focused on supporting Omani women in assuming leadership positions in both public and private sectors.
The second session, titled 'Women, Media, and Digital Marketing', shed light on women’s roles in modern media and digital content creation, emphasising the significance of women’s voices in today’s media landscape. The panel included Dr Aisha bint Said al Ghabshiyah, Member of the State Council, Tahira al Lawati, media professional and former Member of the Majlis Ash’shura, Dr Hanan al Kindi, media consultant, and Dr Marwa al Hinai, academic at Sultan Qaboos University. The discussion was moderated by Khulood al Alawi, General Manager of Hala FM Radio. It highlighted the role of media in shaping the image of Omani women, their growing presence in digital marketing and creative entrepreneurship, and the challenges facing young women professionals in keeping pace with technological and professional advancements.
Speaking to the Observer, Dr Auhoud al Balushi, Member of the State Council and CEO of the Centre for Women and Society Studies, said: “The forum is an intellectual and social dialogue that presents inspiring models of Omani women. We learn from their journeys and experiences of success, drawing lessons and understanding challenges. This forum is also an opportunity to collaborate and strengthen the image of Omani women across all sectors.”
Zainab al Balushi, a retired academic from Sultan Qaboos University and certified trainer in professional development and skills enhancement, expressed her appreciation for being invited to the forum. She noted that it provided a valuable opportunity to learn about ongoing initiatives to empower women and to engage in discussions on their role in society. She also highlighted her interest in participating in future forums, emphasising the potential for such platforms to contribute to professional development and the advancement of women in Oman.
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