1. Women Empowerment Decision Making in the GCC : Oman as a Case Study

3. Empowerment of women and girls was not just a goal in itself, but a key to long-term development, economic growth, and social advancement for all. Deputy Secretary-General Asha- Rose Migiro’ 2 March 2010

4. Omani women are the first to be included in the decision Making Process Women who took part in decision making since 1994 Shukoor Al Ghamari (1995-1997, 1998 -2000) Rahila Al Riyami (2001-2003, 2003 – 2007) Taiba Al Ma’awali (1995-1997,1998 -2000) Lujaina Al Za’abi (2001-2003, 2003 – 2007)

5. 2007 Sixth Term 2008 – 2011 No women were elected 21 women ran for elections out of 632 candidates

6. The Challenge Men, in Oman traditionally, have benefited from tribal platforms and certain social prejudices against women. Lack of political and public engagement of women. Previous women members were from the Capital Governorate and represented crème de la crème of society.

7. Capacity Building The Concept: Program Election Campaign Design and Management aimed to prepare women candidates planning to run for the 2011 Shura elections and as potential Campaign Managers. The program is entirely the first of its kind locally.

8. Capacity Building Objectives: To provide an overview of the political landscape in Oman To provide with best practices and previous experiences (from Oman and abroad) in campaign management To empower participants with basic analytical, planning and budgeting skills. To enable participants to draw, with the help of expertise, an outline of their plan.

9. Phase 1: Campaign and Design, Management and Budgeting (6-8 November 2009)

10. Phase 2: Candidates and Media Relations (3 rd -5 th February 2010)

11. Women Participants on Elections Training visit Majlis A’Shura (23 rd March 2010)

12. Omani Majlis A ’Shura: A Normative Analysis (April 2010) Tawasul launched its first Policy Paper (Integrity in Elections), The paper deduced several recommendations on Elections System in three areas The Electoral Culture Election Integrity Strengthening Measures Election Efficacy Guarantees

13. Phase 3: It’s Campaign Time (6-8 May 2010) Phase 3: It’s Campaign Time (6-8 May 2010)

14. Phase 4: Dialogue on Women in Politics in the Gulf Region – Kuwait as a Case Study (8th May 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmg4PJtNkc&list=UUCQDTizGCRZWtxlEhhel8PQ&index=10&featur e=plcp

15. Media Forum: Media and Elections campaign 25 th -26 th September 2010

16. Symposium on Partnerships for Society: Majlis A’Shura, Media and Society Buraimi 17 th May 2011 and Muscat 17 th May 2011

17. Launching Majlis A'Shura Website September 10 2011

18. Women’s Campaign Consultant Development Program September to October 2011

19. Symposium on E-Campaigning: Electronically Connected September 18 2011 Muscat, September 21 2011 Salalah

20. Media and Social Media Wider National Media Coverage Interaction and Engagement through social Media Dissemination of information and resource on election

21. 2011 Elections 1 woman elected in Majlis Ashura 77 women ran for elections out of 3000

22. Women Performance in Elections 25 candidates who participated in the program scored high in all Governorates Impact-Largest number of women candidates Recognition of women who did not win Rules of the game changed and women no longer seem to be uninterested in politics.

23. Examples of Women Performance Area Ranking of womenVotesNumber of CandidatesElected Votes Muscat21887 92246 2 women5124 Seeb2 Won 626 571481 9 women 9251 10233 Sohar7 1005 302040 4 women 14 90 21 19

24. Impacts The Evolution of Candidates Wider National Media Coverage National Ownership and Debate

25. 2012 Omani women in decision making positions 1 Elected member of Majlis Ashura 14 women appointed in State Council 2 women Ministers and 1 at the rank of minister 2 Undersecretary

26. Thank You