WeCaN Champion: Rumaitha Al Busaidi, a 'Multi-potential-ite'
Born and raised in Oman, Rumaitha Al Busaidi is known for her extensive work empowering women through environmental education. Part-time athlete, part-time women’s rights advocate, Rumaitha stands for what she believes in – unlocking women’s potential.
Supporting women in building career confidence
Rumaitha is certainly one of a kind, and she enjoys challenging societal norms. When she is not making decisions for the Environment Society of Oman or the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change, Rumaitha is leading her very own startup, WomeX. WomeX sets out to empower and strengthen women’s business negotiation skills to increase their confidence-building in the workplace and to develop a mindset focused on growth. With WomeX, Rumaitha coaches women on how to extend their potential and have uncomfortable conversations at the workplace, like how to confidently ask for a promotion or increase in salary.
Bringing women to the forefront at COP28
As part of her work with WomeX, Rumaitha was able to attend COP28 and participate in conversations on gender equality and climate justice. She emphasized the importance of amplifying women's voices in shaping climate policies and strategies, drawing upon her own experiences as an advocate for women's empowerment in environmental initiatives. Additionally, with her background in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and renewable energy, Rumaitha was deeply engaged in exploring innovative technologies and sustainable practices to mitigate climate change, such as introducing recirculating aquaculture systems in rural areas in Oman to combat effects of climate change, primarily Cyclone Gonu, that impacted agricultural areas in the northern parts of Oman.
Overall, her experiences at COP28 reaffirmed the critical need for collaboration, urgency of action, role of women, innovation and technology, and adaptation and resilience in addressing the climate crisis and building a sustainable future.
Not taking ‘no’ as an answer
Rumaitha explains that her journey to becoming a women’s activist “just happened for the sake of happening when you navigate life.” After continuous years of being told “no” to things she wanted to do, Rumaitha decided to stop following what others had to say and started making decisions for herself.
She took this risk in a society where feminism isn’t viewed too lightly, after being skipped for promotions and opportunities and not having her voice heard in decision making processes. All this changed when she finally gained the negotiation and communication skills to overcome this gender-based constraint in day-to-day life. “As soon as I found my voice to navigate the space, I found my voice in the room. I got someone else to vouch for me as I advocate for a woman’s space to speak; an ally to support. More people need to know their opinions are important, awareness towards women's contributions needs to be done,” and this is exactly what she strives for in her work with WomeX.
However, being in the public spotlight can be a bit exhausting, especially with the negative commentary that comes with it. “As women, it is notorious that we want everyone to love us. Society has put pressure on us that we need to make everyone comfortable and happy. But it's totally fine if some people don't. It's our differences that make us special.”
What it takes to be a multi-potential-ite
In addition to standing alongside women as they express their creativity and speak for their beliefs, Rumaitha is also a radio personality, marine scientist, and climate advocacy and environmental protection enthusiast. In other words, she defines herself as a “multi-potential-ite” to describe the many hats she wears. So much so, that her excellence was highlighted as one of the women named by the BBC in their 100 women list for 2023.
As if being a climate change activist working with governments on green hydrogen and promoting women’s rights wasn’t enough, Rumaitha’s sporty side is far from hidden, as she continues to hike mountains and valleys across the world, helps women learn to swim, and even played for the Omani women’s football team. Her passion for sports contributes towards her endeavors in boosting women’s confidence. Her work in the confidence space brought more women to embrace it while also learning climate resilience skills. One story she narrates is about swimming:
“Although it is frowned upon for women to swim in many areas in Oman, we had the case of a woman let’s call her Noor, who convinced her father through building her confidence and learning how to have uncomfortable conversations to learn swimming. She not only learned the skill by having her father teach her the skill at dusk but then she was able to teach her other sisters. Unfortunately, Cyclone Shaheen hit Oman back in 2021 which flooded multiple areas in Oman, and thanks to these brave women who stepped outside of their comfort zone, they were able to save their mother and neighbors by swimming through the flood to rescue them.”
Applying her leadership to the WeCaN Community
Rumaitha's engagement with the WeCaN community stands as a testament to the power of collective action in the realms of climate change and women's empowerment. Through her contributions of knowledge sharing and advocacy for gender-sensitive climate policies, she not only enriches the platform but also advances her own initiatives. The community, in turn, offers Rumaitha access to invaluable resources, training opportunities, and a supportive global network. This mutually beneficial relationship enhances her ability to navigate environmental sustainability challenges and gender equality, underscoring the significant impact of collaborative efforts in driving meaningful change.
Amidst the whirlwind of her achievements, Rumaitha's message remains clear: foster women's negotiation skills and strive for impact in every endeavour. As she boldly navigates through life's ever-changing landscape, Rumaitha Al Busaidi continues to inspire us all to dream big, defy expectations, and leave an indelible mark on the world.