Oman

OWA forum seeks to foster supportive setting for community

This gathering brought together 43 associations from across the country, with the primary objective of harmonising efforts, fostering cooperation, and establishing partnerships
 
This gathering brought together 43 associations from across the country, with the primary objective of harmonising efforts, fostering cooperation, and establishing partnerships
Omani Women's Associations convened a forum titled ‘Between Reality and Aspirations’ under the auspices of Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. This gathering brought together 43 associations from across the Sultanate of Oman, with the primary objective of harmonising efforts, fostering cooperation, and establishing partnerships to elevate programmes amid the technological and artificial revolution.

Initiated by the Cultural Committee of the Omani Women’s Association, the forum aimed to tackle challenges with determination and persistence. Maryam al Zadjali, Chair of the Board of Directors, emphasised the association's commitment to clear vision and specific goals. An initiative titled ‘Elaf’ aimed to address the impact of divorce, while ‘Environment, Health and Beauty Winter’ promoted awareness of lifestyle changes. The event also highlighted the association's dedication to societal well-being.

Innovative programmes included interactive workshops, arts education for children, and economic empowerment courses, showcasing the association's focus on discovering and nurturing talents. The forum, inspired by Oman Vision 2040, aimed to integrate Omani women into development fields, emphasising the crucial role of community participation in achieving this goal.

The forum programme featured working papers, success stories, and a dialogue session to shed light on associations' efforts, aptly capturing the essence of 'Omani Women’s Associations between Reality and Aspirations.' Recommendations for improvement and empowerment were discussed, aligning with the overarching vision of advancing Omani women and integrating them into sustainable development.

Omani women’s associations extended their outreach by building cooperation with societal support institutions, providing juvenile training programmes, and actively participating in events like the Muscat International Book Fair. The Knowledge Integration initiative, which involved collecting and redistributing used books, aimed to enhance knowledge dissemination.

The Omani Women’s Associations Forum seeks to establish a balanced partnership with local community institutions, empowering Omani women as pivotal contributors to Vision 2040. Positive relationships between associations, cultural forums, and skills development initiatives underscore the commitment to citizenship and Omani cultural identity, fostering a supportive environment for the entire community.