Reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performing workplace and advancing the role of women in the banking sector, Sohar International celebrated Omani Women’s Day with a special event dedicated to recognising the achievements, contributions and aspirations of its female employees. Held under the theme “Wan Ni’am”, an expression of pride, appreciation and admiration for Omani women, the celebration highlighted the Bank’s commitment to empowering female talent, nurturing leadership capabilities and creating opportunities for professional growth. Marking the occasion, Sohar International also announced its decision to grant all female employees 12 days of Wellbeing Leave, reinforcing its commitment to supporting their personal wellbeing and professional aspirations. The initiative represents a tangible extension of the Bank’s people-centric strategy, recognising that employee wellbeing is integral to sustained performance, professional fulfilment and long-term organisational success.

The event commenced with a networking session, followed by welcoming remarks from Mahira Al Raisi, Chief People Officer at Sohar International, who emphasised the strategic importance of investing in female talent and fostering an organisational culture that enables women to realise their full potential.

Commenting on the occasion, Mahira Al Raisi said: “At Sohar International, women’s empowerment is an integral part of our human capital strategy and our commitment to building a future-ready organisation. We recognise the significant contributions of Omani women as leaders, professionals and innovators who continue to shape the development of the banking sector and the wider economy. Our responsibility extends beyond creating opportunities for participation to establishing meaningful pathways for career advancement, leadership development and long-term professional success. As we celebrate Omani Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to cultivating an inclusive, merit-driven environment where talent is recognised, aspirations are supported and women are empowered to contribute at every level of our organisation.”

The programme featured a series of engaging sessions designed to encourage reflection, dialogue and professional development. Through the “Overcoming Obstacles” segment, female employees shared experiences of navigating personal and professional challenges, highlighting resilience, determination and the importance of continuous growth. An interactive panel discussion explored key considerations shaping women’s professional journeys in banking, including leadership development, career progression and work-life integration.

The celebration also featured “Proud Moments”, a session recognising individual and collective achievements, alongside an interactive engagement activity that strengthened connections and encouraged collaboration among colleagues.

A key highlight of the evening was the Excellence Awards, during which Sohar International honoured outstanding female employees for their exceptional performance, professional dedication and contributions to the Bank’s success. The recognition reflected the Bank’s emphasis on merit, achievement and a culture in which excellence is acknowledged and celebrated.

Through initiatives such as this, Sohar International continues to translate its people strategy into meaningful employee experiences that strengthen engagement, recognise achievement and support professional development. By investing in female talent and fostering a workplace that values diverse perspectives and capabilities, the Bank reinforces its commitment to developing the next generation of leaders and contributing to the advancement of Omani women, in alignment with the human capital development priorities of Oman Vision 2040.