Ahlan Duty Free’s Israa Othman on breaking barriers and driving inclusion at an organisational level

Introduction: This International Women’s Day, Aer Rianta International (ARI) and The Moodie Davitt Report are proud to celebrate the achievements of women in travel retail and beyond. In line with this year’s theme Accelerate Action, we recognise the importance of moving beyond conversation to tangible change.

To mark the occasion, we spoke with five inspiring women leaders from across ARI’s global network. Each brings their own perspective on leadership, resilience and the role organisations must play in fostering inclusive workplaces.

Through these interviews, we highlight their stories, successes and visions for a future where opportunities are not defined by gender, but by talent, ambition and a shared commitment to progress.

As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme Accelerate Action, Ahlan Duty Free Training & Marketing Manager Israa Othman underlines the urgency of breaking down barriers in the workplace to foster a culture where women can lead and succeed.

She says: “Accelerate Action means taking deliberate and urgent steps to break barriers, challenge biases and foster an inclusive environment where women have equal opportunities to lead and thrive.”

Throughout her career, Othman has been a firm advocate for women’s professional growth. Over the years, she has taken tangible steps to create opportunities that empower female talent. “A key moment was when I spearheaded a mentorship programme aimed at supporting and developing female talent within the organisation, ensuring they had access to leadership training and career growth opportunities,” she recounts.

But progress requires more than just mentorship – it calls for structural transformation. She explains: “I believe that implementing mandatory leadership development programmes for women at all levels will provide them with the tools, networks and confidence to advance their careers.”

Mentorship has played a defining role in Othman’s own leadership journey, offering guidance and motivation to push beyond limitations. She explains: “Mentorship is vital in empowering women by offering guidance, support and encouragement. Mentors have played a significant role in my leadership journey at ARI by challenging me, expanding my perspective and inspiring me to aim higher.”

For Othman, achieving true gender equality goes beyond hiring policies. She believes that diversity must be embedded into the DNA of an organisation to drive success for every employee at every level.

“Leaders can drive true workplace diversity by embedding inclusivity in every aspect of the organisation, from recruitment and decision-making to team dynamics, while fostering a culture that values diverse voices and perspectives. This way, diversity can drive innovation too.”

Othman’s approach to leadership is clear: gender equality is not just about meeting quotas – it’s about creating workplaces where diverse voices shape the future.