The Omani Women Forum 2026 convened its second edition on Sunday under the theme “New Horizons for Omani Women’s Parliamentary Work,” focusing on enhancing women’s engagement in parliamentary roles and community leadership. The event, organised by the Derasat Center for Women and Society in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, was held under the patronage of HH Sayyidah Dr Mona bint Fahd al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor for International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University.
The forum featured three panel discussions that explored the scope of women’s participation in the Majlis Ash’shura, Oman’s consultative council, as well as the roles and responsibilities of its members. The sessions aimed to raise awareness about the requirements for parliamentary participation and to support women’s preparedness to run for office and engage actively in community service and decision-making processes.
During the event, organisers launched three community initiatives designed to assist Omani women aspiring to participate in the upcoming Majlis Ash’shura elections. These initiatives are targeted at female candidates, leaders of women’s associations across various governorates, and civil society organisations working to promote women’s participation.
The first initiative, “For Her Voice, an Enduring Impact,” led by the Omani Journalists Association, seeks to boost political and parliamentary awareness among female candidates and equip them with media skills necessary for navigating the electoral process responsibly and effectively.
The second initiative, “Legal Empowerment for Female Candidates in the Majlis Ash’shura Elections,” was organised by the Omani Lawyers Association. It focuses on enhancing the legal knowledge of women candidates, helping them understand the legislative framework governing elections and empowering them to engage in parliamentary work with greater awareness and accountability.
The third initiative, titled “Raya,” was launched by the Omani Society for Human Resource Management. It aims to prepare women interested in parliamentary work by strengthening their leadership capabilities and readiness in media engagement and community involvement.
Dr Ohood bint Said al Balushi, Member of the State Council and Founder and CEO of the Derasat Center for Women and Society, highlighted that the forum marks a significant stage in advancing women’s participation in parliamentary roles. She noted that the practical community initiatives complement the forum’s dialogue, serving as vital steps toward empowering women to assume responsibilities in representation and national service.
Dr Ohood further underscored the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Social Development, the Derasat Center, and other strategic partners, stating that this integrated approach is essential to fostering qualitative participation among women. She pointed out that the success of these initiatives will be measured by their impact on women’s preparedness and their capacity to contribute effectively to society and governance.