#SheBuilds : Women Leaders Transforming Oman’s Construction Sector
October 8, 2025By Swathi Suresh - Content and Conference Manager
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In recent years the construction sector across Oman and the wider GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) has been witnessing a gradual but noticeable shift in gender dynamics, driven by broader economic diversification, national visions such as Oman Vision 2040, and increasing awareness that women’s leadership can bring innovation, sustainability, and better stakeholder relations to large infrastructure and built environment projects. While construction has traditionally been male dominated, owing to cultural norms, physical job requirements, and entrenched hiring practices more women are now occupying roles beyond administration, moving into engineering, project management, procurement, sustainability, and even senior executive positions. These changes do not yet represent parity, but they give strong evidence that the future of construction in the region will be more inclusive. Oman’s construction sector is undergoing a transformative shift, with women stepping into leadership roles and making significant contributions to the industry. These trailblazing women are not only breaking barriers but also shaping the future of construction in the Sultanate.
Roqaya Al Hinai – Champion of Governance and Regulation Roqaya Al Hinai is a distinguished leader in Oman's construction sector, known for her expertise in governance and regulatory frameworks. Her work has been pivotal in enhancing the transparency and efficiency of construction projects, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. Through her leadership, she has contributed to the development of policies that support sustainable and ethical practices within the industry.
Laila Al Nasseri – Architect and Visionary With a career spanning over 17 years, Laila Al Nasseri has demonstrated exceptional expertise in architectural design, project management, and construction. As a founding partner of a leading architectural firm in Oman, she has been instrumental in delivering innovative and sustainable projects that align with the nation's development goals. Her leadership and commitment to excellence have earned her recognition as a prominent figure in Oman's construction landscape.
Areej Mohsin Haider Darwish offers an interesting case of leadership intersecting with construction equipment and contracting. She heads the ACERE cluster (Automotive, Construction Equipment & Renewable Energy) of Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC. While her domain is broader than just construction contracting, her role encompasses supply, equipment, logistics, and machinery, all essential for execution of large construction and infrastructure projects. Her leadership has pushed forward modernization, importation of advanced construction and heavy equipment, and adopting better practices in machinery operations which are crucial for timely and efficient project delivery. (Wikipedia)
Afraa Al Harthi – Advocate for Health, Safety, and Environmental Standards Afraa Al Harthi has made significant strides in promoting health, safety, and environmental standards within Oman's construction industry. Her efforts have led to the implementation of robust safety protocols and environmental conservation measures on construction sites. By prioritizing the well-being of workers and the surrounding communities, she has set a benchmark for responsible construction practices in the country.
Thuraiya Said Ibrahim Al Farsi – Innovator in Structural Engineering Thuraiya Said Ibrahim Al Farsi is a trailblazer in structural engineering, known for her innovative approaches to design and construction. Her work has involved the development of resilient infrastructure that can withstand the challenges posed by Oman's diverse climatic conditions. Through her contributions, she has advanced the field of engineering and set new standards for structural integrity in the region.
There are also women leading in more specialized or supporting roles in the construction sector, from digital services, design, project governance, compliance, risk, and sustainability, whose contributions are often less visible but no less important. For instance, some of the “Changemakers” listed in Construction Week Middle East include women in roles leading BIM/Digital Design, project management, and design advisory. These women help ensure that construction projects adhere to newer standards of safety, efficiency, environmental impact, and quality. Despite these successes, there remain significant challenges. Physical work on sites, safety, mobility, long on‐site hours, and expectations about management styles and risk tolerance still create barriers for many women. In many places women are underrepresented in large contracting firms, on-site supervision, and field engineering roles. Additionally, support systems such as flexible work schedules, mentorship, childcare, and policies to counter bias are still developing. Cultural perceptions about roles women should play in construction also linger, slowing adoption of change in some institutions. Governments in the GCC have begun addressing some of these barriers (through incentives, regulations, national vision programmes, education) but there is more to be done.
Looking forward, several trends promise to accelerate the rise of women in construction leadership. Technological transformation (e.g. adoption of BIM, digital twins, AI & sustainability), increasing demand for environmentally responsible construction, public infrastructure mega‐projects needing diverse expertise, and the increasing role of consultancy and advisory as well as contracting all mean that there are more entry points for women. Also, visibility of role models (like Sultan, Al Moneef, Darwish) helps. They inspire younger women to consider careers that might once have seemed inaccessible.
In summary, the construction sector in Oman and across the GCC is gradually embracing more female leadership. While progress is uneven, the examples of women like Donna Sultan, Manar Al Moneef, Areej Mohsin Haider Darwish, among others, show that it is possible to lead major firms, push for innovation, champion sustainability, and widen gender inclusion even in traditionally male‐dominated arenas. Continued change will require both institutional reforms and cultural shifts, but the path ahead is promising.
