WUNRN
OMAN - WOMEN DETERMINED FOR
POLITICAL VICTORIES, LEADERSHIP
Akif
Abdulamir (Desert Classics) - 20 August 2011
As the Omani elections come soon, women hope to have a
better representation in the consultative legislative body.
“There are many things men take for granted when it comes to women. They are very naïve about our problems,” a woman candidate for the current election pointed out,” For example, in the private sector, the male-dominated legislation has reduced the maternity leave from 45 days to just 30. I would also like to give Women Association’s clubs more facilities to carry on many of the duties such as empowering them with enough skills to educate young mothers to raise children the proper way.”
Other women said there are not enough workers in the social services and the few available are not well trained. However, Omani women, according to the government officials, need to come forward in large numbers to vote for their candidates of their choices if they seriously want to change the system.
“There are almost the same number of women in Oman as men,” a ministry of interior official said,” in theory, if more women run for the next election and get other women to elect them, then they will have a much better representation this time.”
There is already a clear indication that more professional women will stand for nomination as candidates this time. There is plenty of ammunition in that area since there are more working women in the sultanate than in any other Gulf country. Currently, there are two women serving in the cabinet and two more representing the country as ambassadors. The election, many hope, would pave the way for the first woman governor of one of the regions in Oman.
This election, will be different from the previous ones in many ways because the mentality of many is changing. However, the government is concerned about voters who are still determined to choose a member of their own tribes instead of a deserving candidate.
“Tribalism has played a major role in the past elections,” an election supervisor said, “it is something some voters need to look beyond and put their trust on anyone with abilities.”
The people I have been talking to said that tribalism would never be an issue this time. They admit that those who have voted for their relatives, have been disappointed.
“They saw it as an opportunity to land themselves prestigious positions but as representatives of their regions, they did very little for their communities,” a man who elected his cousin in the last election said.
Election in Oman is at its infancy. However, the experience of the last ten years or so has given the country a new political meaning. It is clear that giving people a chance to voice their fears and concerns will help improve the decisions of the government and even influence the political will. Although the elected council has no legislative authority, its various recommendations by the members made over the years have introduced many reforms. Oman at the moment is not aiming for a western type democracy but it is laying a good foundation for a future parliamentary government. Whatever happens from this point onwards, it can only get better.
But this election, would be about the strength of women and how determined they are to have representatives in the 82-member council. If they fail to represent the country to advise the government on various issues of concern, then many would feel that Omani voters are not yet ready for a full-fledged democracy beckoning its head in the horizon.