nyu wagner abu dhabi asya al lamki - oman cultural division, washington dc unconscious powerlessness...

NYU Wagner Abu Dhabi

Asya Al Lamki - Oman Cultural Division, Washington DC

Unconscious Powerlessness

Female perceptions and realities in Oman



Gender Studies in the Arab World

• Progress yet bleak essence

• Lingering attitudes

• Voiceless representation



Tapping Women’s Voices

• Why do women work?

• Are they motivated to work?

• Do they feel discriminated or marginalized?

• What do they perceive as obstacles towards their advancement in organizations?



Professional Women Self Accounts

• Highly motivated to achieve• We have equal opportunities to men• We are rewarded equally• Management supports our growth and

respects our views • Male bosses are supportive• Empowerment of women by the highest

authority and by law



Challenges…

• Underrepresented in management and leadership positions

• Higher rates of unemployment• Lower earnings compared to males• Four times the male illiteracy rates• Confront discriminatory social attitudes• Low participation in entrepreneurial activities

and decision making bodies



The Gender Discord

I don’t think that women managers are

discriminated and not given their share of

appreciation and responsibility. We have been given

all the opportunities to grow and move ahead in our

country and our place of work (Oman Economic

Review, 2005, p.35)



Questions to ponder

• Should international reports be analyzed as constructed texts that reflect specific social, historical and cultural modalities of their authors?

• Universality of research approach - need a culturally sensitive approach

• Should we assume internal coherence among women and cultural distance between men & women?

• How have women in leadership roles in other societies balanced between collective demands and individual needs?



How long will you stare at the shell? Look inside, and pick out the pearl

Jalaluddin Rumi

Thoughtful Reflection

nyu wagner abu dhabi asya al lamki - oman cultural division, washington dc unconscious powerlessness...

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