Muscat, March 19: The Sultanate joined the rest of the world on the 8th of March in marking the International Women’s Day 2010. This year’s theme is “Equal rights, equal opportunities, progress for all.” By sheer coincidence, the motto reflects the Sultanate’s avowed policy of women’s development in every sphere of life.
Since the dawn of the Blessed Renaissance, one of the top priorities of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in nation-building is education and empowerment of women. In the four decades, women have beaten new paths on the socio-economic front that have never been heard of earlier. It’s a total transformation without sacrificing traditional values and customs.
The emphasis in the country’s five-year plans is on realising the full potential of women in their multiple roles as wives, mothers, employees and social changers. In recent years, they have taken up all the challenges confidently and forging ahead. We can see the sea-change in every walk of life: Young women are managing banks, running businesses, taking care of people’s health, teaching in schools, driving cars, participating in sports, and working in all service sectors. Omani women are ahead of their counterparts in some countries in the region.
Thanks to the government’s efforts and encouragement to women to be part of the development process, they enjoy equal opportunities with their male counterparts in the country’s socio-economic life.
Omani women have full civil and political rights, including the right to vote, and they can stand for the membership of the Consultative Council (Majlis A’Shura), State Council (Majlis A’Dawla), the Board of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other bodies. They have been proving their mettle as members of the Sultanate’s executive, parliamentary, judicial and public councils and authorities for many years. At the government level, we find women in ministerial, diplomatic and official positions, performing their work efficiently.
Omani women are on a par with others in any developed country. Their progress would not have been possible without the firm support, and commitment to their development, from the authorities. In fact, women’s rights have been guaranteed in the Basic Law of the State. Article 12 of the statute affirms that “justice and equality and equal opportunities for the Omanis are pillars of the society and are guaranteed by the state.”
The Omani women’s symposium, held in Sohar in October last year during Royal Tour, whose recommendations His Majesty the Sultan endorsed, was another milestone in empowering women. It also underlined the importance the government gives to women in nation-building.
The seminar’s suggestions would form the basis for future laws aimed at safeguarding women’s rights while the existing rules would be strengthened to enhance the role of national women in professional jobs and businesses. One of the interesting outcomes of the symposium was to mark Omani Women’s Day on October 17 of every year. All these measures underline the importance the Sultanate gives to women in becoming partners in the country’s forward march.
Earlier this month, the Sultanate has reaffirmed its commitment to respecting human rights at an international forum. The country’s avowed policy of equality and justice to all residents has been underlined by Yahia Bin Salim Al Wahaibi, the Sultanate’s permanent representative at the United Nations, during a general discussion at the 13th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The country’s track record in honouring rights of citizens as well as residents is impeccable and has drawn acclaim from many quarters. One of the salient features of the Sultanate’s governance is its strong legal and judicial system that is instrumental for an orderly development of the country. An independent judiciary plays a pivotal role in protecting an individual’s rights and freedoms.
The Sultanate’s Basic Law of the State, passed in 1996, deals with every aspect of the state apparatus and fundamental rights and responsibilities of Omani citizens. The Basic Law guarantees equality of all citizens before the law; freedom of religion and of speech; a free Press; the right to a fair trial; and the right to establish and enjoy the membership of national associations.
An important aspect of the Basic Law is religious freedom it gives to the people of all faiths to practice their beliefs without infringing on public order and decency. In fact, Oman has been known for its religious tolerance throughout its history.
Besides the Basic Law, which is path-breaking in many ways, the Sultanate’s residents enjoy many privileges that are unheard of in many developing countries, for example women’s rights. Women have been given equal opportunities along with their male counterparts in every walk of life. They are not discriminated against men in providing employment opportunities or in their career growth. It’s not an overstatement that gender inequality has zero tolerance.
This policy has paid rich dividends as far as women’s development is concerned. As the Ambassador Al Wahaibi rightly pointed out at the rights conference, Omani women have been making their presence felt in all walks of life and contributing to national development. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said takes special interest in empowering women and has stressed many times the need to involve women in building a modern Oman.
The government has never wavered from protecting rights of people. The setting up of a National Committee for Human Rights exemplifies this. Similarly, laws have been promulgated to check human trafficking which has become a global social scourge. These measures are intended to give legal cover and protection to hapless victims of human trafficking. Though the Sultanate is less exposed to human trafficking, it has set up a National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking.
The government’s decision is born out of the fact and belief, that human trafficking is a global challenge to societies and it must be dealt with effectively at national and international level. By doing so the Sultanate has once again demonstrated to the world that it will not shy away from its commitments and cooperate with the global community in every possible manner.
The Sultanate believes that human rights are the bedrock of society and they are the shared responsibility of all countries.
True to its belief, Oman has been maintaining a clean record.
—Agencies