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Women in Working Life

Between Tradition and Progress: The Change in Women's Employment in Oman

There is a quote by Sultan Qaboos, in which he says: 'Uneducated women cannot raise free children, and neglected women can never properly care for others. If women are not trained for their roles, they can contribute nothing to the progress of this country.'

This shows that in Oman, women are viewed in a completely different light than in most other Arab or Islamic countries. A merit of the Sultan, who has gradually opened the country for Western values and views over the past almost five decades, without betraying the identity and beliefs of his country. He merely pointed out that women also play an important role in Islam and that it works better when they are treated as partners at eye level and not condescended to.

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Written by: Michaela Eckmüller Last updated at: September 30, 2025

Table of contents

Women in Oman - more successful than in other Arab countries
Progress is evident

Women in Oman - more successful than in other Arab countries

The Sultanate on the Gulf of Oman, which is as large as Germany in terms of area, occupies a unique position in the Arab world. For example, in countries like the United Arab Emirates, where the outwardly promoted openness only applies to foreigners, women still have a very hard time.

In contrast, much has changed in Oman in recent decades. Here, for instance, women run their own businesses or hold various positions in the public service. Even a ministerial position has already been held by a woman. The development in Oman encourages the entire Arab world, as it shows that in an Islamic country, extreme gender inequality does not always have to prevail.

Progress is evident

Of course, the number of women in the aforementioned areas of employment is still lower than, for example, in Germany. For instance, in the public service, there are still almost two men for every woman. However, there are various images that complete the impression of Oman: Women confidently sitting behind the wheel of their vehicles, eating together with their male colleagues in the company canteen, or going alone to cafes and enjoying the day. Even though traditional clothing from Eastern societies still shapes the streetscape – progress is more evident in Oman than anywhere else in the Arab world.

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