Muscat: The Shura Council convened its tenth regular session today, hosting Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, for an extensive deliberation on the Ministry's statement across six principal themes addressing family development, emerging social phenomena, strategic programs for women's empowerment, the rehabilitation and integration of persons with disabilities, and the advancement of legislative frameworks governing the social sector.
According to Oman News Agency, the minister affirmed the enduring collaboration between the Council and the Ministry in supporting national endeavours across various social development sectors, emphasizing the commitment to advancing proposals for improving services extended to all segments of society. She indicated that the session would highlight milestones in Oman's social development journey, noting that these achievements derive from the enlightened vision of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik who has enshrined the human being as the supreme objective guiding all policies, and as the fundamental pillar without whose well-being and empowerment no development can be realized.
The minister observed that the social development sector has undergone a pivotal phase characterized by the integration of policies, legislation, and programs designed to build a cohesive society and establish an advanced protection system, consistent with national orientations that regard the human being as both the focal point and ultimate purpose of development.
She further explained that over recent years, the ministry has methodically transitioned from traditional care models predicated upon mere material support to paradigms of empowerment and sustainability. This transformation, she emphasized, represents a comprehensive reengineering of the individual's role within society, converting potential from a state of dependency to one of productivity, and stimulating the principle of self-reliance so that citizens become active partners in the growth of the national economy and the advancement of their community.
She stated that today's session delineates the trajectories of social work and the qualitative achievements realized, based upon modern legislative frameworks, extensive institutional initiatives, and effective partnerships with government entities, the private sector, and civil society institutions, thereby enhancing individual quality of life while preserving family and societal stability. The discussions also encompassed strategic programs for women's empowerment, professional training in early childhood and disability sectors, alignment between international standards and ministry-adopted protocols for elderly care, and forward-looking strategies for senior citizens and mechanisms for their societal integration.
The Minister of Social Development, has affirmed that the Omani family stands as the impregnable fortress and true guarantor of social and national security, underscoring the ministry's intensive efforts to address priority social issues through an integrated approach combining professional development, legislative modernization, and strategic partnerships.
During her address before the Shura Council, the minister detailed the ministry's focused endeavours to consolidate family cohesion through advanced professional pathways, including comprehensive family guidance programs and the regulation of family and psychological counselling professions to ensure scientific, professional support for families. National initiatives addressing prevention, mental health, and specialized capacity building aim to cultivate conscious, empowered families capable of raising generations proud of their authentic Omani identity, equipped to face contemporary challenges with awareness, wisdom, and steadfastness.
She highlighted the ministry's growing emphasis on monitoring social phenomena through specialized scientific studies, applying findings to policy development and early intervention programs, while establishing research partnerships with academic institutions to build a robust knowledge base facilitating understanding of societal changes and anticipation of their impacts.
The minister affirmed that the strategic programs adopted by the ministry have played a significant role in constructing an integrated social security system, encompassing the development of a comprehensive social work strategy, enhancement of services for target groups, strengthening economic empowerment programs for productive families, elevating the role of Omani women in community building through leadership and decision-making qualification programs, and advancing policies supporting persons with disabilities.
She added that regarding senior citizens, the ministry has prioritized developing a system of home and community-based care ensuring dignified and stable lives within their families, while harnessing their experience as social and value references for younger generations through their roles in civil society institutions.
The minister clarified that developmental efforts have extended beyond programs and initiatives to encompass comprehensive legislative modernization, including the development of the Civil Associations Law, review of the Juvenile Accountability Law, issuance of regulatory frameworks governing elderly care and volunteer work, updating child protection legislation, and the recent enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Rights Law. The restructuring of the ministry represents a pivotal step toward enhanced integration with the Social Protection Fund, directing efforts toward a comprehensive system founded on empowerment and sustainability, grounded in governance standards and efficiency in managing social services and programs targeting the most vulnerable groups.
She has unveiled comprehensive statistics demonstrating the far-reaching impact of Oman's social protection programs, with over 22,000 cases receiving direct social assistance totalling more than RO 17 million, complementing benefits extended through the Social Protection Fund. Social development committees and volunteer teams have contributed an additional RO 12 million to more than 350,000 families, while the "Fak Kurbah" (Relief from Distress) initiative has alleviated hardship for over 10,000 individuals.
In the disability sector, the minister reported that more than 8,000 individuals were registered in the Persons with Disabilities Card system during 2025. A network of 145 government, private, and civil rehabilitation centers now spans all governorates, serving over 9,800 beneficiaries, while more than 10,000 individuals received assistive devices throughout 2025.
The minister further noted that licensed nurseries have exceeded 300 facilities, with over 3,900 family guidance and counselling services provided. In the economic empowerment domain, the ministry enabled more than 100 beneficiaries during the past year (2025) and facilitated the participation of over 660 productive families in local and international exhibitions.
Addressing the session attended by Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali, Chairman of the Shura Council, members, and the Secretary-General, the minister affirmed that social work constitutes a shared national responsibility wherein roles integrate among state institutions, civil society, and the private sector. Such integration, she emphasized, enhances social cohesion, preserves human dignity, and cultivates an environment conducive to sustainable development.