Muscat – The Majlis A’Shura on Sunday reviewed wide-ranging social development priorities as H E Dr Laila bint Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, presented the ministry’s statement before the shura
The statement covered six core pillars, including family development, evolving social challenges, women’s empowerment, disability services, elderly care and the legislative framework governing social affairs.
H E Laila said the ministry’s strategic programmes are strengthening Oman’s social safety net through improved social work strategies, expanded services for target groups and broader economic empowerment for productive families. Specialised leadership and decision-making programmes are also reinforcing the role of Omani women in national development, alongside policies that support the integration of persons with disabilities.
On elderly care, the minister highlighted the expansion of home and community-based services to ensure seniors enjoy stable and dignified lives within family settings. She noted that the ministry also seeks to benefit from the experience of older citizens by encouraging their participation in civil society activities as role models for younger generations.
Social assistance beneficiaries now exceed 22,000 cases, with total disbursements surpassing RO17mn, in addition to support delivered through the Social Protection Fund. Social development committees and volunteer teams have provided over RO12mn in aid to more than 350,000 families, while beneficiaries of the Relief from Distress initiative have crossed 10,000.
In disability services, more than 8,000 people were registered in the Persons with Disabilities Card system in 2025. A network of 145 government, private and non-profit rehabilitation centres operates across the sultanate, serving over 9,800 beneficiaries. Assistive devices were distributed to more than 10,000 individuals last year.
Licensed nurseries have surpassed 300 nationwide, while family counselling and guidance services delivered more than 3,900 interventions. In economic empowerment, over 100 beneficiaries were directly supported and more than 660 productive families took part in local and international exhibitions.
H E Laila underscored the ministry’s growing reliance on scientific studies and academic partnerships to monitor social trends and design evidence-based policies and early intervention programmes.
She reaffirmed that family protection remains a national priority, describing the Omani family as a pillar of social and national stability. Ongoing efforts, she said, focus on strengthening family cohesion through professional counselling frameworks, regulation of counselling professions and national initiatives in prevention and mental health — with the goal of nurturing confident, socially aware generations proud of their national identity and prepared for future challenges.
