Oman affirms its commitment to human rights principles and achieving gender equality

New York: The Sultanate of Oman has affirmed its commitment to the principles of human rights and the realization of gender equality in a manner that guarantees women’s needs and stability. Oman also affirms its commitment to enhance and develop areas of women’s participation in community development and improved quality of life.

Oman made the statement during its participation in tasks of the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Oman was represented by the Ministry of Social Development at the UN session themed “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.

The UN session takes place in New York from 11 to 22 March 2024. Oman’s delegation at the session was headed by Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development.

Dr. Laila said that the Sultanate of Oman guaranteed justice and equality for women as a means of consolidating the humanitarian approach, with its national laws and policies made consistent with human rights in general and women’s rights in particular.

Dr. Laila pointed out that the Basic Law of the State emphasizes justice, equality and non-discrimination between women and men.

The minister added that the Labour Law in Oman has been in line with basic labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Texts of the Labour Law in Oman have been expanded to include a number of terms that secure women’s privileges, the minister added.

Dr. Laila explained that, within the context of “empowering women and girls”, women’s economic and business engagement grew in tandem with the progress made in other fields. As a result, women’s participation in the workforce grew to stand at 32 percent in 2022.

The minister said that, in the year 2022, the percentage of Omani female workers constituted 26 percent of the workforce in the government sector and 30 percent in the private sector. The minister added that, in 2023, the percentage of Omani women working as public administrators, business managers and investors grew to 37 percent.

In terms of funding projects, the minister said that Oman enhanced several initiatives in favour of women in the field of entrepreneurship. As a result, the percentage of women registered in the Riyada business engagement programme increased to 32 percent in 2022, and the percentage of women business owners out of the total Omani female workers constituted 6.1% during 2022, said Dr. Laila.

In the artisanal field, the percentage of craftswomen who obtained licenses to practice household activities reached 90% in the year 2023.

In the same year, funding product was initiated with an estimated financial portfolio of RO 12 million. The funding product was aimed at lending fiscal support to rural women’s entrepreneurial projects. It extends privileges to the entrepreneurs without charging bank interest. – ONA