Honorable Lujaina Mohsin Darwish is one of the most admired business leaders in Oman. She is the Chairperson of Infrastructure, Technology, Industrial & Consumer Solutions (ITICS) at Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC (MHD), one of the most trusted business houses in Oman.
Ranked 28th amongst the top 50 most powerful businesswomen’ by Forbes Middle East in 2023, Hon. Lujaina has led her organization to phenomenal growth in newer categories and product lines.

She was elected to the country’s consultative council– Majlis A’ Shuraa, in 2000 one of only seven women to be elected since its inception, and holds the distinction of having been elected twice to this honorary position. In November 2015, she was appointed as a member of the State Council (Upper House) by Royal Decree and is presently a member of the esteemed Council.

Women’s empowerment has always been a subject very close to her heart. Her efforts at the National and Regional levels have been directed at uplifting, empowering, and inspiring women. She has recently been appointed to the Board of the Arab International Women’s Forum which works towards establishing gender-inclusive communities in the GCC states. 

With an aim to increase women’s participation in all spheres of society, Hon. Lujaina has worked towards laying a strong foundation for women’s sports in the Sultanate. She is a Board member of the Oman Olympic Committee, and the Oman Football Association, and Chairperson of the Oman Women’s Football Committee.

Here is an excerpt from one of her interviews on society’s stance on women’s empowerment and the road to a more inclusive society.

“Gender equality is a fundamental human right. It is an essential catalyst to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development. It has been shown that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth. From a Global perspective, inclusive societies and gender-neutral workplaces have been the cornerstone of developed economies.

Talent acquisition, engagement, and retention are critical for any organization, and companies around the world say they’re committed to advancing women into leadership roles.  The World Bank estimates it could take 150 years to achieve gender parity in lifetime earned income - and that closing that gap would generate $172 trillion in human capital wealth*. Women represent 39% of the global workforce but accounted for 54% of job losses as of May 2020* (Source S&P Global). While there has been significant progress made globally, there is clearly a lot that must be done.

Here I would like to specifically cite the example of the Sultanate of Oman, my homeland, which is considered one of the most progressive countries when it comes to gender equality. This inclusive mindset was inculcated under the wise leadership of the Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. This legacy is now being furthered by His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik and Her Highness the Honourable Lady Sayyida Ahad bint Abdullah Hamed Al Busaidi, Spouse of His Majesty the Sultan, who have always given unconditional support to the cause of women in the Sultanate. 

Creating women role models is another critical task leaders need to focus on. Because inspiration can be particularly important for women's empowerment, it can help to overcome barriers and challenges that may be faced in pursuing education and success. Research shows that those who regularly experience inspiration achieves new skills and tend to become more immersed in their tasks.

When women are inspired by others or by a sense of purpose and meaning in life, they are more likely to seek out and surround themselves with like-minded individuals who share their values and goals. This can create a sense of community and belonging, which can be incredibly empowering for women.

Let’s all rally around each other in a way that we build a force that works towards and inspires a human revolution. It will need us to drop our inhibitions, biases, and prejudices. We have to ensure that we rise above the shackles which hold us back, inspire each other to do more, and strongly believe that our time has come. And this time, we are the ones who will lead from the front while the world applauds.”

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