I went to the Omani Women's Symposium. Even though there have been other conferences dedicated to women in Oman in the past, this was described as being the first of its kind, and was even advertised in the newspapers. It is wonderful that dialogue like this is becoming more and more prevalent in the Sultanate, and that issues pertaining to women are being brought to the surface continually. Every year, there is a specified goal to work towards improving, and this year is the year of the woman. I was really looking forward to the conference, and the first of the two nights did not disappoint. The women who gave their presentations were full of passion and personal experience - many were researchers and lawyers. I was taken by their bold statements and yet respectful discussion of Omani culture. The question session was particularly interesting - many of the statements made by the men left me dumbfounded that they could be so oblivious to the visible differences in opportunities between men and women in the political and the social spheres. Or that they truly believed that women had more political limitations especially in terms of marriage, because women are clearly emotional -OH! DO YOU THINK SO? - see? you're emotional. - ...
This got my blood boiling. Many times you read about these issues and living as an outsider within Oman, I have only seen a small percentage of these issues first hand, and the political ones that are below the surface are not always the most visible. Even in my interviews so far, the situations for each girl is different and depends in great deal on the conservativeness of the girl's family and especially on whether or not she has a car. I have always taken for granted the rights that I never fought for - not only being allowed, but expected to go to college, being given a car, allowed to go out every night if I wanted, marriage is optional and up to me to decide when and to whom, many of my best friends are guys, I can aspire to be whatever I want, and no one tells me habibati, leave that to the men... - just to name a few. This doesn't even touch on legal aspects, which is an entirely new conversation, but i would love to see my new girlfriends here in Oman with the same opportunities that I've had. It hurts me to leave my friend at home while I go out with her relatives because she is so careful not to do anything that might make her unwanted by a husband or leave for city center to work, and my mom stays at home all day with the kids practically locked inside with no car. Some people are ok with this and call it culture - that is fine, but not every girl wants to grow up to inherit these expectations and I think it's time to start asking for a different and more accommodating social structure. Women these days are starting to become lawyers, doctors, researchers and they are tired of people not wanting to invest in them because they will have babies one day. You can disagree, and post your own view that's fine. I am also aware that I am a young woman from the West and have naturally entered into this society with my own biases. The thing is, it is just not fair. Why not allow women equal rights as men when the laws are founded upon Shari'a law which proclaims that women and men are equal. I loved what one of the women said in particular. She said, stop asking me to prove to you that my suggestions for equal rights fit into Shari'a law; I would like you to prove to me that they don't.