Oman’s progress highlights the power of political participation

Political participation is a cornerstone of modern societies. It encourages citizens to engage actively in building their nations by contributing ideas, proposals and solutions to shared challenges.
Such engagement nurtures a sense of responsibility, strengthens initiative and self-reliance and reinforces loyalty to society, all of which are essential for positive and sustainable development.
Today, political participation requires a deeper and more informed understanding. It is not limited to voting alone, but includes discussing community issues, standing as candidates and engaging with civil and parliamentary institutions.
As societies become more open and interconnected, new challenges have emerged. Social media and digital platforms, while expanding access and visibility, have at times distorted the meaning of participation, diverting it from constructive engagement towards polarisation, extremism and superficial activism.
True political participation lies in the ability of active citizens to influence decision-making through responsible and effective involvement.
This influence does not depend on mobilising crowds or gaining popularity, but on commitment to the public interest rather than personal gain.
It is closely linked to integrity, leadership skills and genuine loyalty to society — qualities that qualify individuals to represent others through candidacy and election.
The highest level of participation is reflected in parliamentary elections and elections within civil society organisations and professional associations. These processes reveal the depth of democratic awareness and public confidence in participation as a meaningful practice.
Where awareness is strong, participation takes constructive forms such as engagement, dialogue and accountability. Where it is weak, participation may decline into apathy or, in its most dangerous form, turn into extremism and violence — what can be described as negative participation that undermines social cohesion.
For this reason, supporting political participation has received increasing attention. Electoral experiences within parliaments and civil associations have helped entrench the concept of participation and reinforced state efforts to empower citizens, improve governance and guarantee transparency and integrity. Ensuring equal rights to candidacy and voting remains central to building trust between society and institutions.
The 2025 Political Participation Index for the Gulf Cooperation Council offers an important assessment of political, social and cultural participation across member states.
It analyses reform paths, identifying factors that either expanded or constrained participation and links performance changes to legislation, institutional structures and policy choices.
The report affirms that political participation is a key pillar of a modern, democratic state, reflected in citizens’ ability to shape decisions, respond to crises and support national development goals.
According to the index, Oman recorded the highest improvement among GCC countries, advancing by 22 points and ranking second overall.
Oman achieved notable progress in civil society institutions, freedom of opinion and expression and ranked first in the representation of groups and minorities. However, the report highlights the need to strengthen performance in gender balance and youth inclusion.
These challenges relate mainly to limited legislative authority and the absence of clear policies encouraging women’s candidacy and youth participation. Addressing them requires enabling frameworks, particularly as national efforts to empower women and young people continue to expand. Clear policies, public awareness and institutional support can significantly enhance inclusive participation.
Youth empowerment is especially critical, as young people represent the foundation of Oman Vision 2040. State initiatives such as youth forums and the Youth Parliament reflect growing recognition of their role.
Accelerating youth strategies, encouraging participation in civil society and expanding representation in elected bodies will strengthen political participation and renew public life.
Ultimately, empowering women and youth politically is essential for social resilience. In an era shaped by rapid digital change, social media influence and artificial intelligence, participation, cooperation and dialogue remain the strongest foundations for positive citizenship — capable of protecting social cohesion and safeguarding national identity.
Without deliberate investment in political awareness and inclusive participation, societies risk weakening their democratic culture and losing valuable opportunities for collective progress and sustainable national development.
Translated by Badr al Dhafari
The original version of this article was published in Oman Arabic newspaper on December 21, 2025