Oman celebrates Omani Women’s Day on 17 October, with this year’s theme, ‘She is Oman’, shining a spotlight on the transformative role women play in the country’s growth, and recognizing the significant contributions.
The annual observance honors the remarkable contributions of women across all sectors, from government to business, education to healthcare. It also reaffirms Oman’s unwavering commitment to gender equality, championing women’s empowerment as a driving force behind the nation’s progress.
The 2025 theme highlights how Omani women shape the national identity and contribute to the social fabric of the country. This year’s commemoration emphasizes the government’s commitment to enhancing women’s rights and creating more opportunities for female participation in Oman’s developmental trajectory.
Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar Oman Minister Social Development
“This designation reflects women’s fundamental partnership in building Oman’s present and future. Omani women represent a cornerstone of national development, benefiting from both royal support and their own demonstrated capabilities.”
Oman’s legal framework for gender equality
Oman’s legal framework has long been a strong supporter of women’s rights, with constitutional guarantees of equality and progressive legislation. Recent reforms have brought about substantial changes, such as extended maternity leave provisions, aligning them with international standards. Additionally, Oman has improved social protection coverage and streamlined administrative processes, such as enabling women to independently issue passports.
These reforms are part of a broader strategy, outlined in the Ministry of Social Development’s Social Work Strategy (2016-2025), to promote women’s empowerment through a human rights-based approach. The government’s commitment to gender equality is evident in its efforts to institutionalize women’s rights across all spheres of life, including leadership, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
Image Credits: ONA | Cropped by GBN
Programs empowering women in leadership and business
The Ministry of Social Development has launched several programs aimed at economic and leadership empowerment for women. Among them is the ‘Tasmu‘ program, which has already trained 50 female leaders from government, private sector, and civil society organizations. Additionally, the ‘Tamkeen‘ program has assisted 202 women entrepreneurs with training, funding, and business development opportunities, directly contributing to their economic independence and growth.
In the digital space, the ‘Wiki Omani Women‘ initiative showcases the achievements of 100 notable Omani women on global platforms, helping to enhance their visibility and inspire future generations.
Omani women’s role in international leadership
International representation is another significant achievement for Omani women, with many holding influential roles in global organizations. These include membership in the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (2023-2026) and the UNICEF Executive Board (2024-2026), as well as leadership positions in UNESCO and the Arab Women Organization.
These roles allow Omani women to contribute to global dialogues on human rights, education, and women’s issues, further cementing Oman’s role as a leader in promoting gender equality.
Image Credits: ONA | Cropped by GBN
A comprehensive approach to Omani women’s empowerment
With 68 Omani women’s associations across governorates and over 13,500 members, the country is fostering skills development and community programs for women. These associations, supported by the Ministry of Social Development, aim to create sustainable and impactful change, while building partnerships with public and private institutions.
Moreover, the Female Inmate Empowerment Program (2020-2025) focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration of women through vocational training and post-release support, reflecting Oman’s comprehensive approach to women’s empowerment across diverse population segments.
Omani Women’s Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing institutional commitment to gender equality, while inspiring future generations to break barriers and contribute to the country’s national development. Through these efforts, Oman continues to prioritize women’s empowerment as a key driver of progress in line with its national vision.
