Muscat: Oman celebrates International Women’s Day in the Maritime Sector on May 18 each year to highlight the remarkable achievements of women in this field and recognize their crucial role in the country's growth. This celebration aims to empower women and encourage them to pursue specializations in various areas within the maritime sector.
Khadija Mubarak Al-Siyabi, a marine safety specialist at the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, emphasized the increasing presence of Omani women in leadership positions across all fields, including the maritime sector. From marine navigation to engineering, women are making significant contributions. They are employed in port management, logistics, and are even involved in advanced scientific research. This demonstrates the widespread interest in empowering women in the maritime sector through training and skill development.
The government actively encourages companies, both public and private, to provide job opportunities for women in the maritime sector and offers incentives to support their involvement in this field.
Al-Siyabi further highlighted the significant contributions of women working in the maritime sector to the overall maritime economy. The sector now plays a vital role in the economy and directly contributes to the empowerment of women in prominent positions within the marine field.
Basma Hamad Al Hashimi, Chief Marine Navigation Officer at ASYAD Company, expressed her pride in working in the maritime sector as an Omani woman. She acknowledged the widespread admiration from both government and private entities involved in the maritime sector. Al Hashimi and her colleagues take great pride in the designation of a specific day to honor women working in this field.
Oman's celebration of this occasion emphasizes their significance, enhances their capabilities, and showcases their role in the maritime industry. The women in Oman have received widespread recognition for their work and continue to enhance their skills to advance their position.
This event aligns with the International Maritime Organisation's decision to designate May 18 as the International Day for Women Working in the Maritime Sector. The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, representing the Sultanate of Oman, actively participates in this annual celebration. The theme for this occasion is 'Safe Horizons... Women Shape the Future of Maritime Safety'.
