Muscat: On October 17th, the Sultanate of Oman celebrates Omani Women's Day, an annual occasion to honor the valuable contributions of Omani women to society. This day was launched by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 2009, reflecting deep appreciation for the role of women in various fields and encouraging their active participation in national development. In his speech on this occasion, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq – may God protect him – said: "Omani women are a fundamental pillar in the building and development of society, and their role in national development cannot be overlooked."
Omani women have achieved significant milestones in social, economic, and political fields, holding leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. They enjoy equal opportunities in education and employment and contribute significantly to public life. Celebrations on this day include seminars, workshops, and conferences highlighting women's achievements and the challenges they face, in addition to awards presented to outstanding women in various fields.
The Hospitality and Tourism sector is one area where Omani women have excelled, contributing significantly to hotel management, tour guiding, and organizing tourism events. Their efforts have helped promote Omani heritage and culture, making the Sultanate a leading tourist destination.
Basim Al Hasani Director of Human Resources of InterContinental Muscat Hotel and Senior HR Leader – IHG Oman Hotels, said: "As we celebrate Omani Women's Day, we honor the dedication, innovation, and hard work of Omani women, particularly in our hotel. We are proud to have distinguished Omani women leading key departments, contributing to our success."
Empowered by the trust and the conviction of the wise leadership in the importance of their role, Omani women have become active in all fields, contributing to the development of our society. Their past and present great achievements are abundantly clear, whether it’s in this institution of diplomacy or in other public and private institutions. Women now serve as ministers, undersecretaries, ambassadors, academics, writers, Police officers, medical doctors and parliamentarians. They are equally present, on all levels, in commerce and in other fields.
Arwa Ahmed Al-Zadjali, Assistant Marketing PR Manager, added: " It is both an honor and a responsibility to lead the marketing department, where I strive to reflect the vision and values of our hotel. Through dedication and collaboration, we work to achieve excellence, showcasing the incredible potential of Omani women in leadership."
Moreover, we take pride in the fact that many women are present in various departments of the hotel, such as finance, housekeeping, kitchen, reception, communications, administration, and security. Their diverse contributions are a vital part of the hotel's success and align with Oman's vision."
Al-Zadjali added: "We are all proud of the significant presence of women in various departments within the hotel, such as finance, housekeeping, the kitchen, reception, communications, administration, and security. Their diverse contributions are a vital part of the hotel's success and align with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Human Resources department for organizing the Omani Women’s Day celebration and for attracting outstanding Omani ladies in the hotel, allowing them to share their achievements and highlight the role of Omani women in the hospitality sector."