Women in Oman - do they have any rights?

• Normally in all Arabic states the women have more or less no rights. It seems as if the men only want them to care for the children and cook for their families. Is this reality or just that what the western population thinks?

  28 May 2007, 11:13 Sara

Replies

• women in arabic states

  Women have significant authority within the family unit and make strong contributions toward family decisions regarding various rites of passage. Outside the kin group, however, women have little authority or privilege. From the early 1990s, the government has made great efforts to include women in government. Women were nominated to run for election to the consultative council in 1997, with two obtaining seats, and several speeches of the sultan emphasized the importance of integrating women into public life.

  Bob 28 May 2007, 11:17 - Report

• Women rights in Oman

  For information there are currently 3 women ministers in the cabinet of ministers all reporting directly to the Ruler.

  Annymos 13 Jun 2007, 08:51 - Report

• article about woman in Oman

  This blog has recently written an article on what it is like for a expat woman to be in Oamn. I think it gives a pretty good look of the situation in Oman.
  you should check it : http://omanexpat.blogspot.com

  Charles 17 Aug 2007, 10:26 - Report

• RE : article about woman in Oman

  more precisely, the article about women expat in Oman is here : http://omanexpat.blogspot.com/2007/08/women-expats-in-oman.html

  Charles 19 Oct 2007, 09:59 - Report

• hi

  in my opinion arab states has got less importance than western states.

  george 31 Dec 2007, 05:18 - Report

• bravo

  very interesting and argumented comment indeed

  plouf 17 Apr 2008, 11:17 - Report

• Baluchi people

  baluchi people in oman have the lowest rights.we are always being overlooked and discriminated against by the arab population.we are denied the good jobs and there is a lot of corruption against us.i am eductated and i have been denied jobs because i am baluchi. why else did i not get the jobs?i was more qualified than the person who got the job.many other baluchis experience this discrimination.if we were in a democratic country this would not happen.this f***ing country though only cares about its arab population or the people who can financially help them.before you think of womans rights think of the human rights in oman!

  Proud Baluchi 01 Jun 2008, 04:36 - Report

• ^^^

  I totally agree with Proud Baluchi..!! The Arab ethic in Oman are always racist against Baloch people and Zingbari people sometimes. Well all the development in the life of the Omanis in Muscat are brought up by the Baloch and Zingbari people.
  
  When it comes to jobs, especially Baluchi people are always denied the better jobs as the guy mentioned before me. Anyway, hope those narrow-minded Arab ethic people in Oman will one day open their mind and think about the country's economic future, not the people's color or ethic..!!
  
  Talking about Oman's economic, well it needs some control, the prices are getting higher and higher and the salaries are not increasing when all the big-guns steal the money from the people. We need some change..!!
  
  Peace,

  Baluchi 28 Sep 2008, 09:00 - Report

• Rasist Omanis

  my balushi brothers ar saying truth.in oman the arabs are racist to us.we are most deprived peoples in oman.i am living in musana and omani peoples are getting jobs before balushis.even we more qualified but they getting jobs before us.i been many interviews as well and they rejecting me.even i can speak the english and arabic but still no job.but omani who is very dum and cant speak 1 word of english and is stupid is getting jobs.there is many cases of this.but if oman goverment dont stop this discremination there will be problems for them later for them.we are tired with them.they need to give us jobs and not be f***ing rasist.

  Badar 08 Nov 2008, 07:57 - Report

• hi

  any one want any info about oman plz private me
  [email removed]

  abdullah 22 Nov 2008, 09:01 - Report

• about women rights

  I think people in west have an idea about the arab world and how they are living and they want it to be like that because it makes them feel better about them selfs and that they are superior to us...I lived in the west and men get paid better then women and treated better then women so who are they to say anything about us....let them deal with there own problems before they talk about us....

  al arabia architect 02 Feb 2009, 05:41 - Report

• On Racism and Discrimination

  First of all I would like to address the comments made by the self identified Balouchi's in this thread. You must realize that if the discrimination you are describing is true then this is punishable by law as it goes against Oman's constitution. It is easy to make broad statements about discrimination but to site specific incidences is quite another. The Omani government has worked hard to stop Omani's from dividing themselves into minority categories regardless of what they may be (Balouchi, Zanzibari, Lawatiyah, Dhofari etc)So instead of complaining and nagging I think it is your responsibility to take this matter up with official authorities or even seek a personal audience with HM or Minister of Diwan. If these allegations are unfounded then stop wasting your time and that of others. I hope the English of this Omani arab was not too stupid for your superior intellect.
  Second of all as it pertains to women in Oman. I guess it depends on the point of view. When compared to women in the rest of the arab world they are no worse or better off (exempting saudi arabia as a black hole of hell for women). There are still many social restrictions on them that seem more powerful that any laws that are enforced. It is up to the Omani women to start using the laws that are on their side (as it pertains to job opportunities, rights within marriage etc) before going through the next step of lobbying for more change. I hate being in a position that blames the women but I have to say that they are not fully maximizing the potential of current laws that are to their advantage.

  omaniyah 14 Feb 2009, 03:21 - Report

• Discrimination

  Omaniyah it is not right if you say we can complain.Because some things are difficult to prove. If I have good qualifications and I keep getting rejected,and the less qualified omani get the job it does not make sense. This has happened to me many times and many baluchi brothers are saying the same thing. Unfortunately we still are getting mudhlum because some narrow minded people who prefer to have an arab work with them. Not all arabs are bad but there is a real problem with discrimination. One my friend has worked for a company for 13 years and still no promotion but he sees many other arabs with his same experience get offered promotion. All I am saying is because you as an arab don't experience this discrimination that we are complaining for no reason. Baluchis are the most poor ethnic group behind the arabs, Lawaties etc.

  Hamoud 08 Mar 2009, 07:28 - Report

• Lost Souls

  The Omanis settled in East Africa and were accorded rights as citizens. Most of them made fortunes there. However these ungreatful people have always viewed themselves as superior to their hosts. they have always undermined the culture of the locals refering to them as "washenzi" for those of you who do not speak swahili the translation is "savages".
  It is interesting to hear that these very same people are discriminated against in the birth land of their ancestors. It is no sectret that many of them have acquired nationality by buying passports of dead people, or paying poor Omani to adopt them (not in the real sense)just so they can get passport. In some cases when one family member gets a passport he adopts the rest of the extended family.
  These people deemed themselves superior to kind Africans, calling them derogatory names,mocking their cultures and way of doing things. How ironic that today they are discriminated against in the birthland of their ancestors. Changing ones identity to gaining nationality is sinking too low "ones identity is ones pride". These are disgraced people.
  Why should they get good jobs any way? Most of them have obtained certificates fraudulently here in Africa. In the same way they use money to buy nationality in Oman they use money to buy Academic qualification here in Tanzania and Kenya, right from "O" and "A" levels to University qualification. Many of them obtained scholarships from Omani Government to study in Europe and USA using forged academic qualificaions. They have cheated and are still cheating the Oman Government. Bundle them up, load them in a truck, They must go work in some Date plantations. FRAUDS!

  Ibti 01 Apr 2009, 09:34 - Report

• Racism in oman

  it is true that the country's law prevent all types of recism in oman, but it is true also
  that some parties are treated in a diffrent way
  than the rest as they are not arabs.
  
  regards,
  
  Omani and proud

  Jassim Al Zadjali 05 Apr 2009, 08:27 - Report

• We should all be thankfull in Oman

  I really don't understand why many balushis complain about how they are treated? I am a Lawati and we get on fine. We are non arab like you but we don't complain about bad treatment, we even share a different sect from any arab omanies which is the shia sect. At least you are sunni and you share this with many arab omanis. I have friends from all groups of people in Oman but I have to say that some balushis complain a lot. Many complain of discrimination and yet there are balushis who are in very prominant positions, so how did they get there if they were discrimination against them?I agree that maybe that you might get treated differently by some arab Omanis you meet in every day life but that is because some Omani arabs like to stick to themselves and avoid people who have no connection to them but this is natural considering this country is a tribal society. But in the workplace things are done in a very fare way believe me, especially in the big companies. There are also many things that nationals are given for free such as free health treatments. So I advise my balushi brothers to be thankfull for what we have got before complaining too much.I love all Omanis and lets all be positive!

  Hussain 09 Apr 2009, 02:06 - Report

• Discrimination and unemployment

  Listen unemployment in Oman is unofficially around 60 per cent. Most of the unemployed are baluchis so mr.lawati you expect us to go around behaving everything is fine. I have a job and I am fine but many of my relatives are unemployed so I cant rest. Even if I have a job. I feel for the jobless people and it is not right that most of them are baluchis. The truth is that this country is racist but in a quiete way. Racism happens when people of certain groups are not given jobs because they are not of an omani origin and this is wrong.My parents have lived here since the seventies we all have omani passports so we should be treated equally. but what happens is some omanis have a problem when they see Al-Balushi as a family name!this is when some of us are not given jobs we deserve!

  Jassim 23 Apr 2009, 03:15 - Report

• Appreciation

  Salam to everyone,
  
  Dear brother and sister,
  
  I was shocking to me to read this thread,
  Mr. Baluchis and Zadjalis, i am a proud Baluchi like your self, nevertheless i strongly disagree with what you have been saying, Mr. Lawatiha your case is different, simply because you are looking at it from a different perspective.
  
  let me set an example first to make things clearer,
  
  If i use a try to measure length of a piece of garment and i use a measurement tool like a measuring meter, and i said this is measuring tool is wrong because i am sure that this garment is 1 meter. well in that case you need to revise your self and think back.. its your might be wrong not the tool.
  
  
  you have been blaming who for the discrimination and unemployment? first of all you said 60% of baluchis are unemployed? from where did you bring the statistics? oh yes if please try to state the statistics of well qualified baluchis who are unemployed.
  
  if you are seaking from your mind becuase of your own experience please do no generalize. Al Hamdulillah we are 3 Bothers and 5 Sisters, all of us a working, i never came across some one favored someone else because i was baluchi or what so ever, oh yes by the way have some senior level managers in PDO who are Balushies as well in many different senior posts,, dont forget one the best artist in Oman or few of them are Baluchis and Zadjalis.
  
  and according to my personal experiences my manager told me once, i want some one baluchi in that post because they have capabilities of grasping more than 3 languages.
  
  there is not a single law not in Islam or the constitution of the sultanate is again Baluchis or any race.
  
  
  now you dear omaniyah, how did you decide Saudi Arabia to be a Black hole for women?
  
  can you please bring some statistics? well i have seen lots of uneducated Omani's are agan the Saudi policies, i just wonder why?
  
  please check the internet, for some statistics, Saudi is the country with the least amount of Rape, I ask Why? because the government is taking their right to go out and rape?
  
  even here in Oman we have significant increase in rape cases since the women started going free minded ( note: i didn't say open minded but i said free minded).
  
  i have been studying in this subject since couple of weeks, that's how i came across this think,
  
  however i am not against women rights,both the Islamic and the country law have given the women their full rights unlike in any other place, however unfortunately some people don't know that these rights exist, and some other people misunderstand these rights and end up misusing it.
  
  about the expat women, this is funny, they are having great jobs here and earning much more than the locals, however the Omanization now is trying to get more local employment in both private and public sectors, however the economical crisis is affecting the wohle world not only Oman, if that's what you are talking about employment of expats, for those who doesnt know there is a must percentage of Oman employment which must be fulfilled by all the companies, but still that percentage is still low which means expat have a high opportunities,
  
  i am not saying if from my own mind.. but these information re there within the internet, do a small research and you will get the facts about whats happening.
  
  thanks
  
  Salam

  Saeed Al Balushi 29 Apr 2009, 10:33 - Report

• LET ME TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING

  I THINK ALL THE OMANIS ARE FUNNY, THEY ARE RACIST THEY HAVE TO BE BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN OIL RICH NATION. BUT AS ALWAYS THEY HAVE AMERICAN AND BRITISH NAVAL SHIPS THERE. SO I AM RIGHT IN SAYING THE AMERICANS AND BRITSIH OWN YOU. OMAN IS NOTHING BUT A SERVICE STATION FOR THE AMERICANS. JUST WAIT AND SEE WHEN THEY ARE AT WAR WITH YOU. LETS SEE HOW MUCH DISCRIMINATION THERE IS AGAINST WOMEN AND BELLUCHI AND BLACKS PINKS AND PURPLE. KEEP HAVING FUN AND WATCH OUT FOR THEM AMERICAN AND BRITISH SOLDIERS WHO PRETEND TO BE HOLIDAY MAKERS WHO WANT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH THE LOCAL WOMEN AFTER HAVING A FEW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

  RICK, MANCHESTER UK 29 Apr 2009, 03:26 - Report

• Reply to Rick

  Dear Mr. Rick from Manchester UK,
  
  please allow me to clarify few points to you,
  to me you are not really away of the typing and internet culture, typing in upper case is considered as shouting, if you are aware of that, on whom you are shouting?
  
  well I presume that you have been in oman and migh lived couple of years, if not, then based on what have you presented you speech?
  
  in Arabic there is a saying: "do no throw rocks on peoples house if your house is made of glass"
  
  you have posted a very harsh comment i would say, of course I do have the reply for you, but it would be a waste of time since whatever i will say would not make a difference in your thinking,
  
  are you aware that America is a "Slave" for UK and do you know the finance of the whole UK is run by few Jewish people i am not again Judaism by the way, i am just stating facts,
  
  Do you know UK and America are holding the highest crime and rape cases. people there are slaves to their systems, and running not by value but by material and money,
  
  see it is easy to generalize and keep on blaming people , to me it seems you don't know what you are talking about.
  and from analyzing what you have typed you are just seeking attention
  
  please try to be be more civilized when type anything write next time/

  Saeed Al Balushi Oman 02 May 2009, 02:08 - Report

• YOUD DIDNT ANSWER ANYTHING

  BECAUSE I DIDNT TYPE A QUESTION. IM NOT SHOUTING, IM TYPING. YOU HATE THE AMERICANS AND THE ENGLISH. YOU DO THAT BUT THEY OWN YOU. YOU DIDNT WANT TO ANSWER ME SO WHY DID YOOU WRITE A 500 WORD ESSAY OF GOING AROUND IN A CIRCLE. FACE FACTS OMAN IS OWNED AND LITTLE PRINCESS MEN LIKE YOU CAN`T DO A THING. I WROTE FACTS AND DIDNT TYPE IN RYMES LIKE YOURSELF. IF THATS A BIT LOUUD CRY YOURSELF IN A TISSUE. AMERICA HAS A HIGH CRIME RATE AND SO DOES ENGLAND, THATS NOT THE POINT. THEPOINT IS IF YOU GO TO WAR WITH ANYBOODY BRITAIN AND AMERICA WILL BLOW YOU AWAY AND THEN TAKE WHATEVER YOU OWN. EVEN YOUR SHISHAS.

  RICK MANCHESTER 02 May 2009, 06:42 - Report

• Reply to Rick

  
  this is funny, it seems you have not read a single word of what i i wrote above,
  
  and what facts did you say? and why you are so angry? and who said US or UK owns us,
  
  as i said people in UK are slave to their system, you see, hear and believe what your government and media wants you to se hear and believe, in other wards brain washed.
  
  and by your previous two angry speeches (which were completely uncivilized) you are just proving waht i am saying
  
  calm down and think,
  
  and by the way Shisha is not an Omani thing, you need to read Mr.Rick

  Saeed Al Balushi Oman 03 May 2009, 08:03 - Report

• who's angry

  dont look at me being wrong. What im saying is fact. You can't handle the truth and now you're thinking of what to say and then try to say you not a slave. Kick out the english from your ports, help the palestinians and stop talking gay. When you do that you will no longer be a slave to the English and Americans. Think about this too with my "prisoner enslaved to society" english passport I can enter your country and you need a visa to enter oman. Think of a reply to that or keep talking bullsh*t its your choice call my friend.

  RICK MANCHESTER 07 May 2009, 01:09 - Report

• Saeed Al Baluchi the monkey

  If a woman is raped because she is free-minded what is the state of mind of the rapist?
  
  You talk a lot about educated baluchis, yes there are educated baluchis, many of them but you certainly are not one of them.
  
  RAPE IS A CRIME and there is no justification or excuse for it. Everyman is responsible and accountable for his action, here in this life and thereafter.
  
  Women have the right to make up their own mind, they certainly dont need advise of idiots like you, that include the Saudi women

  Ruhi 13 Jun 2009, 02:48 - Report

• saeed albaluchi

  your comments on women moronic stupidity. You are a danger to our freedom, progress and safety. You should be castrated and locked up.
  
  Your education and qualification questionable

  Open and free minded 13 Jun 2009, 03:33 - Report

• measured by albalushi

  Mr Saeed Albalushi if you think that all is well for all Baluchis just because you are a tea boy somewhere and your three sisters receptionists, then that is generalisation.
  
  I must say from the length of your letter that you are a very good a...... licker

  adel 22 Jun 2009, 05:43 - Report

• Baloch long live

  just love baloch and balochistan not any arab ,paki and irani afhgani.

  Qayyum baloch 22 Jul 2009, 01:03 - Report