The main headline of Omani media on February 26, 2023 was about First Lady Sayyida Ahad Al Busaidi, wife of the Sultan of Oman, presiding over a celebration of Royal Oman Police (ROP) to mark the graduation of a new batch of female police officers at the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences. The occasion was significant because it was the first time that a woman had sponsored a military event in Oman.
Although the way forward is still long, Oman is making gradual progress in the area of women’s rights, and women have been afforded more leadership positions in the Omani government. Currently, there are three female ministers in the Omani cabinet out of a total of 22, 12 female members in the State Council out of a total of 86, and two female representatives in the Shura Council out of a total of 86.
This interview with Dr. Badria bint Ibrahim bin Khalfan Al-Shehi, Deputy Chairman of the State Council of Oman, centers on the issue of state feminism in Oman and whether or not it can support women’s rights generally, including by pushing for more female representation in the government and in senior public positions where women are still underrepresented.
Al-Shehi believes that Oman has made great strides in women’s rights, unlike other Gulf states. She maintains that the fact that the Sultanate was the first Gulf country to grant women their political rights in 1994 indicates that the Omani political leadership believes in the important role women play in the development of the country, and in their ability to effectively assume senior positions. Al-Shehi also believes that the restrictions that are still delaying women’s entry into fields such as the judiciary and governorate leadership are the result of inherent social sensitivities towards issues related to women and gender.
Do you think that appointing highly educated women—even those who may not be avid advocates of women's rights—in senior leadership positions would promote women’s rights and drive social change that values women’s leadership?
Indeed. Having highly educated women who have sufficient awareness in senior leadership positions will change the stereotypical image of women in society. Even if these women are not keen on supporting women’s rights, their success in their work will promote women’s empowerment. In Oman, we have many women who work hard to help other women overcome societal stereotypes and traditional taboos, especially in closed communities, where misinterpreted phrases such as “women are deficient in reason and religion,” and “a people cannot succeed if their leaders are women” are taken at face value to mean that women are unfit to lead. Therefore, when women reach leadership positions, they help alter this negative image and defend women’s abilities against false charges. Surely, the more involved these female leaders become in public work, the more supportive of women’s rights they will become. Of course, educational reform and the modernization of the country have played a huge part in systemically and structurally changing the perception of women, and in garnering respect for the role that they play in public political institutions.
But shouldn’t change be the outcome of an organic social movement rooted in modernization, education, and people’s conviction rather than being the consequence of official appointments, or of what we call state feminism?
Because of the conservative nature of Omani society, it was necessary for the political authorities to play a role in transforming the image of women and distancing them from prevalent societal stereotypes. It was important to promote an appropriate perception of women that recognizes their intellectual abilities and their varied contributions to society’s progress, including the country’s developmental process, the human rights movement, and parliamentary life. In short, it was necessary to find the appropriate channels that showcase women’s capabilities, not through quotas, but through governmental decisions and policies that diligently enhance the role of women.
You are an elected female deputy chairman in the Omani State Council. How does the Council view the election of a woman to such an advanced leadership position in a prestigious council? Given the fact that you were voted into your position by a majority of male colleagues, what does this indicate about Omani society’s perception of women?
The State Council is comprised of highly educated and knowledgeable members who have a great deal of experience whether in the private sector, the government, the military, or the educational and economic sectors. These professionals, who have worked with women or who have distinguished female family members—and have experienced their outstanding abilities—have such a high level of awareness and a high regard for women in general that it is easy for women to deal with them. However, it is essential that women who are entrusted with high-ranking positions prove themselves as equals to their male colleagues in terms of experience and qualifications. They need to strive to gain the confidence of their community by building a record of personal achievements that speaks to their decision-making abilities. They also need to support the Council’s members and have a voice in all of the Council’s business in a way that ensures that they are rightfully appreciated by an educated and well-informed community.
Do you think that the task of empowering women to assume various forms of political and governmental leadership positions in elected and appointed councils is an exclusive responsibility of the political leadership of the country? Or, is it a social responsibility? How?
The responsibility of empowering women falls on both sides. As I mentioned before, we basically start by breaking societal taboos using the authority of the government, and as women prove themselves and their qualifications, the social responsibility begins. When we abolish the taboos that surround women, it becomes necessary for society, especially the cultured, educated, and empowered groups, to carry out the responsibility of supporting women. This support starts by raising awareness of the positive social and economic consequences of women’s empowerment on households, education, culture, and children’s lives. With conviction regarding the importance of their role, we must show how fruitful it is for women to be represented and empowered in all fields and areas.
How do you view state feminism? Does it promote women's rights in general or does it hinder them?
I think that the state is greatly interested in empowering women. If we look at the feminism of the state, we find that top priority was given to building up a state education system that focuses on female education. The state then proceeded to empower women and to facilitate their access to a variety of jobs and positions in multiple fields. However, this was a gradual process that took into account the various social sensitivities and the degree of social acceptance for the presence of women in these fields and positions. Looking back at Oman’s history, we find that women were not completely absent; they worked in farms and studied in learning circles. Today, women have access to myriad opportunities and skills, and they are entrusted with countless duties that were previously entirely dominated by men. This does not mean that women are now present in all the areas in which they should be. There are spheres where women need to be more present, such as the judiciary and leadership at the governorate level, but I think that it is only a matter of time. I think that progress should be introduced gradually—not forcefully—if we hope to maintain a healthy community. Women are establishing themselves and fulfilling their potential step by step.
Generally speaking, do you think that women who are currently in decision-making positions, whether in the Cabinet, the State Council, the Shura Council, or in other institutional bodies, feel a responsibility to make a difference that will benefit women in general? In other words, do you think that they work to improve the status and rights of women?
I believe that the responsibility to improve the status and rights of women is an intrinsic instinct that all woman who are in a decision-making position have. I think one of the things that unites women in decision-making positions, not only in Oman but everywhere in the world, is their awareness of the importance of making decisions that will improve the status of women. As I said earlier, women leaders first start by changing and improving the image of women and proving that they are capable of leadership, and then they try to empower other women.
Some female politicians may lose track of this during election time, but by raising awareness among female candidates and female voters, and by sharing the belief that women will only rise if they stick together as a united front, we will be able to empower ourselves. Of course, we need to bear in mind that the nature of our society, and the competitive nature of elections, as well as women’s own perception of female leadership, play a role in the progress and success of women’s empowerment—or lack thereof. But I believe that all women who have assumed decision-making positions have sufficient knowledge, education, and awareness to actively aspire for female empowerment as a sustainable self-preservation mechanism.
Do you think that having a first lady who is actively participating in Omani public life could further empower women politically?
Of course, the interest that Her Highness the Honourable Sayyida Ahad Al Busaidi, wife of the Sultan of Oman, has taken in public affairs is a motivator for women in the Sultanate. Her public appearances and her efforts towards the empowerment of women are very honorable and are acknowledged by society. For a long time, ever since the initiatives of Mazoon, mother of the late Sultan Qaboos, there has been a gap in empowerment initiatives. Now, the momentum is escalating thanks to the moral support of the esteemed first lady who is instilling a sense of confidence in the Omani woman. I am sure you have noticed that women are becoming more visible at public events, and I really hope that this presence means that there is now more awareness of the importance of recognizing women’s rights. Fortunately, the current activities of Her Highness have helped increase women’s involvement in public life, especially in the fields of charity, women's initiatives, and social institutions. I hope that this involvement will extend to other areas where women need empowerment.
How do you assess the empowerment of women in Oman overall?
I think that women’s empowerment in Oman is progressing admirably. We must remember that the Sultanate was leaps and bounds ahead of many other Gulf states which were, at the time, still lagging in terms of women’s status, rights, and roles. This shows the general vision of the Sultanate regarding women and attests to the independent governmental policies towards women.
I hope that we will maintain and increase this pace, especially since there is a growing global movement that calls for the empowerment of women and for gender parity in the form of equal opportunities that will support female involvement in a way that will positively impact the country’s economy and reputation. With international institutions focused on the status and rights of women, we need to increase women’s representation in some areas and quickly engage them in new ones. For example, Omani women have been involved in the military and political arenas, but we need to increase this involvement and to open up other fields, such as governorate leadership and the judiciary. I am confident that women will succeed in whatever endeavor they choose to undertake because they will ensure that the high quality of their work and performance will elevate and enhance the overall performance.
Conclusion
It should be noted here that the most prominent development concerning women’s issues since Sultan Haitham came to power relates to the activities of First Lady Ahad Al Busaidi who established a charitable foundation that focuses on supporting women, children, and the disabled. However, women’s representation in various state institutions remains low, and unfair laws, such as the nationality law, by which Omani men can transmit Omani nationality to their children automatically while Omani women can only transmit nationality to their children in very limited circumstances, have not yet been amended. The presence of qualified women who are concerned with women’s progress in leadership positions and the presence of the first lady in public life—along with her interest in women’s issues—may yet help women gain more rights. As Al-Shehi herself mentioned: “I hope that this presence indicates an awareness of the importance of women's rights.”
Rafiah Al Talei is the Editor-in-Chief of Sada. Follow her on Twitter: @raltalei.
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Source for article photos: Oman News Agency
