“We call upon them to take advantage of all opportunities that have been granted to them, so that they can prove their worth and show that they are capable of overcoming any obstacles that might stand in their way.”
– His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Among the Arab countries, Oman stands out for its efforts at women empowerment. From flying Dreamliners to being featured in the Forbes List of Influential Women, Omani women has achieved success and proved the world that they are not left behind.

The achievements of the Sultanate’s women are not restricted to business and leadership alone; their winning streak embraces diverse domains including arts and crafts, music, academics, sports, volunteerism and others.

As part of International Women’s Day, The Arabian Stories talks to Dr. Lamya al Haj, Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University on how it feels to be an Omani woman. Here’s what she said:

“Omani women have achieved so much.  She broke the glass ceiling, she is empowered by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.  She is strong, smart and hardworking, she is a dreamer and an achiever!  She is the Omani woman who took the lead in many fronts be it be in education, entrepreneurship, politics, arts, sports and others and has repeatedly proven her competency both locally and internationally.  Omani woman have proven over and over again that they are like no other and that they can be a role model for other woman to follow.”

Lamya Al Haj is a PhD holder of Structural and Molecular Biology, a researcher on bio-gas alternatives to oil, a professor at the Sultan Qaboos University, and a motivational speaker who inspires younger generations. She is known to be one of the leading woman in the STEM Omani ecosystem. Al Haj also has her own website where she publishes some of her researches and reflect on her thoughts and opinions.