Female expats feel safe in Oman
Reacting to the latest international survey known as the ‘Expat Insider’, many expat women confirmed that they feel quite secure in Oman and are not afraid in venturing out alone
MADIHA ASIF madiha@timesofoman.com
MUSCAT: With the Sultanate recently topping the list for being the safest country in the Arab world for women and second at the international level, female expatriates living in Muscat have shared their experiences exclusively with the readers of the Times of Oman.
“I’ve lived in Muscat, Oman, since 1998. Overall, I find this country to be extremely safe except perhaps for the high rate of car accidents. It is particularly safe in terms of the low crime rate and friendly/helpful attitudes of the local and expatriate population. Sometimes I find it remarkable how safe it is,” said a British national working at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU).
Unlocked cars
“I’ve seen unlocked cars parked outside stores with the engines running and no one inside, the owners seemingly secure in the knowledge that no one will steal it while they’re gone.
Although, as a woman, I know that I will always feel less safe than a man would in the same situation, I’m grateful to live in a country where I rarely feel the need to make sure my handbag is completely shut or lock my car doors while I’m driving,” she added.
Another German national working at SQU finds Oman a peaceful country with kind people. “Having grown up and now living in Oman I can say that I have always felt safe and secure. It is simply home.”
The expatriate educationists in Oman had similar stories to share. “When I first came to Oman, more than 20 years ago after my marriage, I started off by staying indoors because I was always raised in a protected and possessive environment, and we were always told that it is not very safe for women to go out or venture out alone,” said Fathima Suhail, senior headmistress of the Primary Section at Beaconhouse Private School.
Another world
“As I started making new friends, I saw that women are very enterprising over here. They are into driving, jobs and in the corporate and teaching world,and that made me realise that there is another world altogether in Oman for ladies. I started by getting my driver’s licence and that was my liberation and freedom. I don’t think I have ever looked back after that,” she said.
“Oman has made me rediscover myself all over again. And I am really happy that my boys know the new ‘mama’ who is not afraid to go out in this world. I wish more and more countries follow Oman’s example of how safe the environment should be for ladies and women,” the senior headmistress added.
For Suchithra, a primary teacher at one of the private schools in Muscat, there is no sense of fear while driving at night after collecting her daughter from tuition classes.
“I have been living in Oman for 15 years now and I find it a very safe place for women because the rules are very well laid out and people follow them diligently. Most importantly, for me, the police force here –the Royal Oman Police (ROP) –seem to be very dependable and friendly, and they always come to our aid and in times of crisis.
“I had a personal experience where the ROP came to my aid when I had a punctured tyre and the official replaced it for me. Also, I feel very safe when I come back home at night when I pick up my daughter from her tuition classes and drive back around 9:30pm. I don’t feel any sense of fear. I do think Oman is a safe place,” she said.
Jane, who has been in Muscat for the past nine years and working at SQU has never encountered any violence during her stay.
“I have been working and living in Oman for nine years now and I can say that Oman is a very safe place. I have never encountered any violence or anything amiss. That is why my family and I are happy to be here,” she said.