Three Inspiring Omani Women Shaping Oman’s Future: Science, Sea and Digital Heritage
Omani Women’s Day, celebrated every year on 17 October, highlights the vital role of Omani women in national development. Under the 2026 theme “She is Oman,” attention turns to women driving progress in energy, environment, tourism and digital transformation. Three standout figures — Rumaitha Al Busaidi, Reem Al Humaidi and Asma Al Senani — embody this spirit through their work in climate action, marine tourism and heritage technology.
These Omani women demonstrate how expertise, determination and quiet leadership contribute to Oman Vision 2040 and strengthen women’s power in the workplace across the country.
Rumaitha Al Busaidi: Climate Scientist and Green Hydrogen Leader
Rumaitha Al Busaidi is one of the most recognised Omani women in the fields of climate science and sustainable energy. A marine scientist by training, she currently serves as Business and ICV Development Manager at Hydrom, the organisation leading Oman’s green hydrogen initiatives.
Her career bridges science, policy and empowerment. She has advised on sustainable economic diversification and serves as Vice President of the Environment Society of Oman. Internationally, Rumaitha has spoken at the World Economic Forum and delivered a widely viewed TED Talk emphasising the role of women and girls in climate solutions.
She also founded WomeX, an AI-supported mentoring platform that helps Arab women build negotiation skills and professional confidence. This work directly addresses a practical barrier many Omani women face: talent is present, but structured support for advancement is often limited. By placing an Omani woman in a strategic energy role and creating tools that strengthen professional capability, Rumaitha expands both visibility and real opportunity for women in technical and leadership positions.
Recognised on the BBC 100 Women list and by Reuters as a leading climate voice, she shows how Omani women are contributing to global conversations while advancing national priorities in clean energy and environmental resilience.
Reem Al Humaidi: Boat Captain Opening the Sea for Women
Reem Al Humaidi represents a new generation of Omani women in tourism and adventure. At 29, she is a certified boat captain, freediver and founder of Ocean Emotions, a sea-tourism company focused on creating safe and welcoming experiences for women.
Just a few years ago, she could not swim. Through consistent training, she earned her boat captain’s licence in 2025 and began offering trips, particularly to the Daymaniyat Islands. Her approach prioritises trust and comfort, attracting both local women experiencing the sea for the first time and international visitors who specifically request her as captain.
Reem’s impact is practical and immediate. In a sector traditionally dominated by men, she has created a clear pathway for women to participate — both as guests and as professionals. By holding operational authority as captain and business owner, she demonstrates that roles involving responsibility, risk management and leadership at sea are open to Omani women. This lowers psychological and practical barriers and expands female participation in Oman’s marine tourism industry.
Asma Al Senani: Driving Digital Transformation in Heritage and Tourism
Asma Al Senani is advancing Oman’s cultural and tourism sectors through technology. As Digital Transformation Director at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, she has played a key role in launching the internal platform “Itqan” and introducing 14 electronic services.
These services cover adventure tourism, tourist facilities, fine arts groups and caves, allowing beneficiaries to complete transactions online without visiting ministry offices. The Itqan platform improves data accuracy, links strategic plans to project execution, and supports better decision-making across the ministry.
Asma’s contribution is institutional. By improving systems and processes, she helps create a more efficient and transparent work environment. Better digital tools benefit all employees, but they particularly support women who often carry additional responsibilities outside work. Her leadership also reinforces that Omani women can drive complex institutional change in the public sector. Recently recognised in Inc. Arabia’s Women of Influence 2026, she links women’s professional advancement directly to the modernisation of heritage and tourism services.
Strengthening Women’s Power in Oman’s Workplaces
Together, these three women expand what is possible for Omani women in professional life:
- Rumaitha Al Busaidi builds high-level visibility and practical skills in strategic sectors such as energy and climate.
- Reem Al Humaidi creates direct access and operational pathways in marine tourism.
- Asma Al Senani improves the systems and processes within which many women work.
Their impact is concrete rather than symbolic. They increase the number of Omani women in technical, operational and leadership roles. They open credible career identities that younger women can follow. And they support Oman Vision 2040 priorities of economic diversification, environmental stewardship and improved public services.
On Omani Women’s Day and beyond, their stories offer a clear message: progress is built by individuals who master their fields, take responsibility, and create opportunities for others. These three Omani women continue that work with focus and quiet determination, strengthening women’s power in the workplace across the Sultanate.
Written by: Atefa Saleh
