Monday 16 / February / 2026
Muscat: The Shura Council continued for the second consecutive day, its discussion of the statement given by Dr. Laila t Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development.
The session was chaired by Khalid Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, in the presence of their Excellencies Council Members and Ahmed Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary-General of the Council.
Members called for the introduction of mandatory family counselling programmes for couples intending to marry similar to premarital medical examinations in light of statistics indicating a noticeable increase in divorce rates among newlyweds.
Deliberations focused on a range of issues related to empowering persons with disabilities in the labour market, expanding the scope of beneficiaries under the social protection system, and reviewing the economic and social conditions of dismissed workers. Members emphasised the need to establish exceptional employment pathways for individuals facing special economic and social circumstances, in coordination with the Ministry of Labour and relevant entities, to promote their economic empowerment.
Members also inquired about the Ministry’s plans to support and empower eligible families benefiting from the Family Income Benefit by coordinating with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and the Oman Investment Authority to propose projects that would enable and support these families economically.
The session underscored the importance of developing and empowering Omani Women Associations to become “Omani Family Associations” in alignment with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, enhancing their familial and societal roles through professional capacity building, and activating partial or full secondment systems within these associations to promote professionalism and integration between governmental and voluntary efforts.
Members further called for a review of financial support provided by the Ministry of Social Development to associations, directing it toward qualitative and sustainable projects.
During the discussion, Members questioned the Ministry’s plans to strengthen volunteer incentives and ensure the sustainability of voluntary social services to enhance performance quality and sustain community programs.
They also inquired about efforts to ensure the sustainability of the social protection system in light of economic and demographic changes, noting that certain eligible groups such as housewives and job seekers should be included among social protection beneficiaries.
In highlighting the importance of monitoring social phenomena, Members addressed the increasing challenges facing juveniles and stressed the need to enhance early prevention programs and coordination with educational, security, and health authorities for early case detection.
They emphasised the necessity of establishing an integrated database to monitor social phenomena resulting from technological advancements and to utilize scientific research in policymaking.
The Minister, members emphasised the importance of enhancing the quality of life for the elderly through home-based health and social care services in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, including regular visits, provision of home medical tests and medications, and partnerships with the private sector to achieve these objectives, supported by electronic linkage for health monitoring.
They proposed the establishment and activation of elderly clubs as a key pillar within the social care system, given their positive impact on improving seniors’ quality of life and enhancing their psychological and physical well-being.
They further stressed the importance of ensuring adequate laws and legislation to safeguard the rights of the elderly.
Members also called for the establishment of Al Wafaa Centres across various wilayats and governorates, equipping them with the necessary tools to enable specialists to perform their duties efficiently.
They further emphasised the need to provide dedicated halls for children with autism equipped with educational technologies, allocate independent budgets for such facilities, and ensure the availability of specialists to conduct regular maintenance of equipment.
The Shura Council held its Eleventh Regular Sitting of the Third Annual Convening (2025–2026) of the Tenth Term (2023–2027).
