Muscat – While Omani women have made significant strides in administrative and diplomatic roles, their representation in Majlis A’Shura remains limited. As the shura elections approach – on October 29 – experts weigh in on the disproportionate presence of women in the body.

To address the disparity, Muscat Daily spoke with experts who believe Omani women have received unwavering support and attention from the highest echelons of the government. In the wake of the blessed Omani renaissance, women have been granted equal opportunities to pursue education and have actively contributed to diverse professional domains. So their lack of representation in the political sphere is concerning.

“Omani women’s political participation isn’t just an aspiration. It’s vital for an inclusive and equitable nation,” said Fatema Yousuf Hamdan al Balushi, head of the communications department at SQU.

According to Fatema, although women have achieved notable social and economic milestones, their political involvement is insufficient. This, despite rights granted to them under the Basic Law since 1996.

“From 1994 to 2019, the shura has seen no more than two female members in any term. This is surprising, especially considering the female voter turnout reached 62.7% in the last elections,” Fatema noted.

She believes the social structure has a big role in supporting Omani women’s political representation. “At the family level, support often hinges on familial duty rather than belief in a woman’s competence. At the tribal level, allegiance often takes precedence over gender, favouring male candidates.”

To bolster women’s roles in politics, Fatema suggests enhancing women’s presence in civil society institutions, offering financial assistance to female candidates and prioritising research on women’s participation. “A national fund, supported by the private sector and NGOs focused on women could be an effective strategy. Concurrently, local research can shape a more informed national vision,” she added.

Voicing his perspective, Khamis al Abri, a lawyer, said, “Omani women have been integral to society’s development. Their election campaigns, however, need stronger promotion to gain voters’ trust.”

Addressing a more basic issue, Dr Samah Mahmoud al Sharif, head of the Veterinary Quarantine Department at Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources, emphasised the need for social change. “The prevalent belief is that women aren’t fit for the shura. What’s essential is changing this mindset and championing women who’ve made remarkable contributions to society.”

Khalid Said al Anqudi, also a government employee, believes raising grassroots-level awareness can boost female representation. “Omani women should understand their social role, and every family leader and social worker should foster women’s empowerment,” he stated, while highlighting the convenience of voting for women candidates through the Intakhib app this year.

The Ministry of Interior has released details of the upcoming Majlis A’ Shura elections for its tenth term. Omani citizens based abroad can vote on October 22, while those in Oman can vote on October 29 from 8am to 7pm.

753,952 voters for Majlis A’Shura elections

The Ministry of Interior has released the preliminary list of voters eligible for the Majlis A’Shura elections for its tenth term.

A statement issued by the ministry said, ‘The number of voters for the elections is 753,952, including 362,924 female voters. The number of new registered voters is 139,963.’North Batinah governorate registered the highest number of voters with a total of 153,809, followed by Muscat (97,928) and South Batinah (93,869).

According to the ministry, a total of 843 candidates – including 32 women – are contesting the elections.