Oman is widely considered a leader in the Gulf
region in the area of women’s rights. Omani
women are allowed to vote and participate in
elections without restrictions. Since the 1970s
when the government began actively promoting
women’s education, female illiteracy has been
dramatically reduced. However, Omani women
remain underrepresented in the workforce and
hold few professional leadership positions.
Aiming to foster the development of Omani
women as active participants and innovators in
an increasingly technological society, WIT was
implemented in partnership with the Omani
Women’s Association (OWA) in November
2006, to provide women with the skills to take
leadership roles in business and technology.
Since the program’s initiation, 26 WIT participants
have obtained jobs in local companies,
academic institutions, and government ministries.
As its success stories mount, WIT continues to
grow. The program has been expanded to 14
partner organizations—the most partner sites of
any country in which WIT is implemented. To
date WIT Oman’s Program Manager has secured
135 computers, software and $80,000 in
grant money for WIT training centers lacking
the necessary equipment to become operational.
In December 2007, the Omani Women’s Association
launched its first Professional Development
Network event in Muscat, to help build
professional connections among and between
WIT participants.
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LOCAL PARTNERS
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