Oman reiterates its dedication to upholding human rights and promoting gender equality, ensuring the well-being and stability of women. The Sultanate of Oman further emphasizes its commitment to enhancing women's involvement in community development and improving their overall quality of life.
This affirmation was made by Oman during its active participation in the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Represented by the Ministry of Social Development, Oman contributed to the session's theme of "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."
Taking place in New York from March 11 to 22, 2024, the UN session witnessed the leadership of Dr. Laila bint Ahmed al Najar, the Minister of Social Development, who headed Oman's delegation.
Dr. Laila emphasized that Oman's commitment to justice and equality for women is integral to its humanitarian approach. The nation's laws and policies align with human rights principles, with a specific focus on women's rights. She further highlighted that the Basic Law of the State underscores the importance of justice, equality, and non-discrimination between women and men.
Dr Laila highlighted that the Labour Law in Oman has consistently aligned with the fundamental labour standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO). She further mentioned that the provisions of the Labour Law have been broadened to encompass various terms aimed at safeguarding the rights of women.
In the context of promoting the economic empowerment of women and girls, Dr Laila noted a significant increase in women's involvement in economic and business activities, paralleling advancements in other sectors. Consequently, the participation of women in the workforce reached 32 percent by the year 2022.
The minister emphasized that by 2022, Omani women constituted 26 percent of the workforce in the government sector and 30 percent in the private sector.
Furthermore, Dr Laila stated that in 2023, the representation of Omani women in roles such as public administrators, business managers, and investors rose to 37 percent.
Regarding initiatives to support women in entrepreneurship, the minister highlighted that Oman had bolstered several programs. This led to a rise in the percentage of women enrolled in the Riyada business engagement program to 32 percent in 2022. Additionally, the proportion of women business owners among all Omani female workers stood at 6.1 percent in 2022, as per Dr Laila.
In 2023, 90% of female artisans acquired licenses to engage in household activities. Additionally, a funding initiative was launched with a financial portfolio of RO 12 million to provide financial assistance to rural women's entrepreneurial endeavors. This initiative offers benefits to entrepreneurs without imposing bank interest fees.
