Over the last ten years, women entrepreneurship in Oman has been reshaped to move beyond conventional gender roles in the business sector. The paradigm shift underscores the perseverance of Omani women, underpinned by the governmental and non-profit organizations working actively to create an all-encompassing framework that acts as an enterprise playground. Many of these changes have been driven by the Omani government through a host of policies and initiatives targeting women’s empowerment and reclaiming their space in the workforce. These include initiatives to introduce gender-inclusive economic policies, access to finance programs and setting up of female business incubators. The government has also taken lot of initiative to encourage women education, the level of women education is also increasing day by day in business administration & technology which are necessary requirement for the success in entrepreneurship.

According to MOH, the organisations and institutions that cooperated in this initiative were represented by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, NGOs. Through the organisation which offer resources like training programs, mentorship opportunities and networking events to help women get the experience and the connections to be successful in the business community. Understanding the potential these women bring in contributing to the economy, several financial institutions in Oman have started introducing dedicated financial products and services that are targeted at women entrepreneurs, designed specifically to address their niche financial requirements. The end result of this is a bounty of women led businesses working in a diverse variety of sectors. Women in Bangladesh are also powering the country’s retail sector by setting up boutique shops, fashion labels and e-commerce platforms, increasing market diversity. Furthermore, the attitude of women in the technology sector has taken off where newer startups that have female stakeholders are on the rise mostly in fintech, health tech, software development which is very promising to the entire ecosystem. There are numerous examples of successful women- owned companies within the hospitality and services sectors – anything from restaurants and hotels to event planning and consultancy services.

Impact

The impact women entrepreneurs have on the economy of Oman is significant. Rather than just a means to an end, these women are creating jobs and contributing to GDP which not only supports her family, but creates national development. Their success is a significant spark for social change, defying stereotypes and encouraging women worldwide to reach heights previously unreachable to them. Yet, despite these improvements, women entrepreneurs in Oman still have multiple hurdles they need to cross. A serious obstacle to empowering women economically and socially continues to be lack of funding, as most do not have the necessary capital to start or grow their businesses. In addition, perceptions about women in business may delay progress with many who still believe in the classic view of a woman as the one in the household. Another big challenge that a lot of women encounter is managing those family duties while navigating their entrepreneurial endeavors;

The result is a continuous need to establish a more supportive ecosystems to be able to help women entrepreneurs overcome these barriers. This involves more financial inclusion initiatives, campaigns to raise awareness and societal attitudes, and services such as low-cost child care and flexible work opportunities. In order to sustain the growth of women entrepreneurship in Oman, an essential criterion would be to strengthen the existing support infrastructure and create an ecosystem that nurtures innovation and inclusivity.

Further, it also creates a ripple effect, as the success stories of women entrepreneurs being showcased can be quite powerful. Not only do these stories inspire other women, but they demonstrate in the most real way that gender diversity can impact the business in those moments so often lost in the day-to-day. They can change the understanding of society from any perspective and promote others to identify girls to go ahead in entrepreneurial trips. But the other area where educational institutions can do much is in the development of the entrepreneurial spirit amongst you women. Introducing entrepreneurship at schools & universities, attracting students to intern or work in business, and offering scholarships to women students in business related fields, can help prepare the next generation of female entrepreneurs having the skills & confidence to lead.

Equipping women entrepreneurs in Oman with international partnerships or collaboration may provide an added advantage in the ecosystem. Oman can further cement its strategies to support women entrepreneurs by incorporating lessons from best practices and innovative approaches in other countries. These partnerships may also allow Omani women enterprises to gain access to new markets and opportunities that will further strengthen their competitiveness on a global scale. Women entrepreneurship in Oman is changing, primarily due to the dynamic interactions between the government, private sector and wider civil society. So much success achieved but yet there is a LOT more to be done to get rid of the challenges completely. The bright future of Omani women entrepreneurs is only half the story, however, and with persisting support and fostering a gender-inclusive environment for entrepreneurs, much more can be achieved. Their success would not only bring prosperity to the nation but would also help to create a more equitable and enlightened society.

About the author: Dr. Mohd Irfan Rais works with the Department of Administrative & Financial Sciences at Oman College of Management & Technology.