DUBAI, 17 October 2021 – The Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai marked Omani Women’s Day on Sunday with a special session to highlight the achievements of women in Oman, and their contributions to the success of the country.
Entitled ‘Women are Equal Partners in the Development Process’, the session was hosted by Lujaina bint Mohsen bin Haider Darwish Al-Zaabi, head of the Omani delegation, who said: “We feel privileged to represent the Sultanate of Oman at Expo 2020 Dubai. In this context, we express our sincere thanks to the UAE for its leadership and efforts in organising such an extraordinary event, which is so important, bringing the world together at this time. Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Omani women, who are a key pillar of Oman society.”
For many years, women in Oman have had the same rights to education, health and employment as men, and are free to participate and be successful in a wide variety of careers.
Dr Farah Al Barwani, Research and Development Manager at the Environmental Centre of Excellence (ECE) created by Be’ah, the Omani organisation formed to address waste issues, said: “I grew up with strong female role models, and it taught me that Omani women have long been encouraged to strive for what they believe in, and support their family and society. My grandmother and my mother taught me that leadership and success for women was possible in Oman, and I hope this continues into the future.
“Expo 2020 Dubai is an opportunity to bring people from different cultures together and demonstrate that we all share the same experiences and achievements, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which has shown that we are all connected, and members of one community.”
Bashair Al Riyami, Director of F&B at the Industrial Innovation Centre in Oman, said: “I have always known the importance of women’s role in community-building. I obtained two PhD certificates, and even then it has not always been easy to convince business owners that I’m capable of being their adviser. But I worked with SME entrepreneurs, and I created my own platform and team, of which I am very proud, and became who I am today. That is why I always urge women to pursue their ambitions and work for their community.”
The session also examined the participation of Omani women in the economic development of the Sultanate, and the impact on the job market, especially on education, which has helped women to achieve empowerment and success in a variety of areas, including finance. Education, training and apprenticeship opportunities have also helped women to play a significant role.
