Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman hosted the 12th session of the "Committee on Women" under the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) today.
This session took place in the framework of a high-level meeting assessing the advancements made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action over the past thirty years.
Tomorrow, the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Social Development, will continue to host this meeting in collaboration with ESCWA, the Arab League, and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women.
In her address, Dr. Laila Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, emphasized Oman's commitment to providing regular reports on the progress achieved in fulfilling the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, in line with its international responsibilities.
She noted that this commitment arises from a collaborative and interactive approach involving all government sectors, the Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC), and civil society organizations.
Dr. Laila highlighted Oman's focus on promoting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the fifth goal, which aims for "gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls."
The minister further explained that Oman submitted its first voluntary report in 2019 and is set to present its second voluntary report in 2024, showcasing the social wellbeing of its citizens and their enjoyment of all rights.
Mehrinaz El Awady, the Director of the Gender Justice, Population and Comprehensive Development Cluster at ESCWA, praised the Sultanate of Oman for its unwavering support of women's issues and collaborative Arab initiatives.
El Awady highlighted that the objectives of this session are being pursued amid extraordinary circumstances and challenges, including the proliferation of conflicts in various nations, which have adversely affected economic growth and global food security.
She noted that the areas affected by conflicts have increased by 65 percent over the last three years globally. Furthermore, she emphasized that the Arab region is similarly affected, particularly due to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and other conflicts that have intensified the hardships faced by individuals, especially women and girls.
