Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend Oman for Promoting Girls’ Participation in Science and Maths, Ask about Measures to Protect Domestic Workers’ Rights and Reduce the Gender Employment Gap

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today considered the fourth periodic report of Oman, with Committee Experts commending the State for promoting girls’ participation in science and mathematics subjects, and raising questions about measures to protect domestic workers’ rights and reduce the gap in the employment rate between men and women.

One Committee Expert commended the State party on increasing girls’ enrolment rate and decreasing illiteracy rates for women.  The State party’s dropout rate was low.  How was this achieved?  Girls’ participation in science and mathematics subjects was also commendable. 

Another Committee Expert said several domestic workers reportedly had had their passports withheld.  Why was this practice still prevalent?  Ninety-nine per cent of domestic workers reportedly did not have days off, and many worked around 20 hours per day.  How was the State party working to protect the rights of female migrant and domestic workers from exploitation and abuse, one Expert asked.  Was there a complaints mechanism that domestic workers and migrant workers could access?

A Committee Expert said a significant employment gap between men and women persisted, with women’s employment rate at around 20 per cent compared to 80 per cent for men.  What measures were in place to improve women’s participation in employment and reduce the burden of unpaid care work on women? 

Introducing the report, Laila Ahmed Awadh Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development of Oman and head of the delegation, said female illiteracy decreased from 4.9 per cent in 2021 to 4.4 per cent in 2022.  The school education law of 2023 affirmed the right to free and compulsory education, and to early education.  The percentage of girls choosing scientific fields such as mathematics and science in general education was greater than that of males.

Ms. Al Najjar said the labour law issued in July 2023 prohibited any form of forced labour and the retention of workers' passports, and made a complaints and grievances system available to workers.  The delegation added that workers whose contract had expired could choose another employer without having to receive a “no objection” certificate from their previous employers.  A future revision of the labour law would address domestic workers’ rights specifically, requiring employers to provide a minimum salary and days off for domestic workers in labour contracts.

On the economic empowerment of women, the delegation said Oman had adopted policies to promote women’s participation in decision making.  There was no discrimination between men and women in appointments to high office.  Oman had also implemented several programmes to economically empower low-income women, women with disabilities and women inmates, who were supported to start businesses and sell their products.  Ms. Al Najjar introduced one such programme, the Reefi platform, which promoted and sold the products of rural women and rural business leaders in agricultural and fishery activities and related industries, and financed rural women's projects.

In her concluding remarks, Ms. Al Najjar said the dialogue had been enriching for the delegation.  It spurred the State party to do better to boost the level of women’s empowerment and address barriers to women’s participation in society.  Oman was committed to implementing the Convention and tapping the full potential of women.

Hiroko Akizuki, Committee Vice-Chair, in closing remarks, thanked the delegation for the constructive dialogue, which provided an insight into the status of women’s rights in Oman.  The Committee commended the efforts made by the State party and encouraged it to make further efforts to implement the Committee’s recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in Oman.

The delegation of Oman consisted of representatives of the Ministry of Social Development; Muscat Court of First Instance; National Centre for Statistics and Information; Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; Ministry of Labour; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Economy; Ministry of Health; Public Prosecution; and the Permanent Mission of Oman to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s eighty-seventh session is being held from 29 January to 16 February.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage. 

The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 8 February, to consider the combined fourth and fifth periodic report of Djibouti ( CEDAW/C/DJI/4-5 ).

Report

The Committee has before it the fourth periodic report of Oman (CEDAW/C/OMN/4).

Presentation of Report

LAILA AHMED AWADH AL NAJJAR, Minister of Social Development of Oman and head of the delegation, said that among the most important developments presented in the report was the issuance of the revised basic law of the State in January 2021, from which the various State agencies derived the foundations and scope of their work.  Among other things, it guaranteed the independence of the judiciary; equality between women and men; the State’s obligation to respect and protect life and dignity; and many civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

The Sultan had prepared the Oman Vision 2040, which aimed to achieve a conscious, cohesive society in which all, especially women, children and other vulnerable groups, were socially and economically empowered.  Under the Vision, a 2021 Royal Decree established the independent Social Protection Fund as the official institution responsible for all social protection initiatives.  The new social protection system had many features benefiting women, such as social protection benefits and social insurance programmes; 1,367,167 people, 49 per cent of them women, were registered for social protection benefits.

The labour law issued in July 2023 prohibited any form of forced labour and the retention of workers' passports, and made a complaints and grievances system available to workers.  The law guaranteed woman’s right to obtain paid maternity leave for 98 days and unpaid leave for up to one year; granted breastfeeding workers one working hour a day to care for their children; and granted fathers paid parental leave for seven days.  The law also prohibited the employer from terminating the employment contract for any discriminatory reason.

Royal Decree 23 of 2023 allowed for marriage between Omanis and foreigners and for the recognition of marriage certificates issued overseas.  Royal Decree 3 of 2019 ratified the amendment to article 20 of the Convention and withdrew Oman’s reservation to article 15 of the Convention.  Oman had also acceded to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2020, and joined the Arab Charter on Human Rights in 2023.

The total female enrolment rate for public and private schools in grades one to four increased from 98.5 per cent in 2021 to 100.2 per cent in 2022, while female enrolment in higher education reached 55.6 per cent.  Female illiteracy decreased from 4.9 per cent in 2021 to 4.4 per cent in 2022.  The school education law of 2023 affirmed the right to free and compulsory education, and to early education.  It was not permissible to discriminate between males and females on any grounds.  The percentage of women contributing to research and experimental development for the year 2021 was 34.1 per cent, and the percentage of girls choosing scientific fields such as mathematics and science in general education was greater than males.  For every 100 males enrolled in such subjects in higher education, there were 130 females enrolled.

Oman maintained a low maternal mortality rate of 17.1 per 100,000 live births in 2022, compared to 28.1 per 100,000 live births in 2020, and the percentage of births under specialised medical supervision increased to 99.9 per cent in 2022.  In 2022, the World Health Organization certified that Oman had eliminated the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child.  It was now working towards certification for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.

Women’s participation in the labour force increased by about four per cent in 2022 to reach 32 per cent, compared to 28 per cent in 2021.  The percentage of female entrepreneurs increased from 29 per cent in 2021 to 32 per cent in 2022, and the percentage of women business owners reached 6.1 per cent during 2022. 

In the tenth period of the Shura Council elections, several training programmes in leadership empowerment were implemented for 32 female candidates for the Shura Council.  Omani women constituted 16 per cent in the current Council of Ministers, with three female ministers, and five female undersecretaries appointed, and 18 women were appointed to membership in the State Council for the 2023 to 2027 period.  Eight female ambassadors were appointed during the year 2023.  There were 61 Omani women’s associations.  The number of Omani female lawyers registered with the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs in 2022 reached 420 lawyers. 

The Reefi platform promoted and sold the products of rural women and rural business leaders in agricultural and fishery activities and related industries, and financed projects for rural women.  Annual financing for the platform was 31.2 million United States dollars.  Training was also provided as part of this programme to female agricultural entrepreneurs and rural girls.  Women also participated in environmental protection and pollution control efforts.  Other programmes in place supporting women were the Makasib social security products platform, the Makeen National Initiative for Digital Competencies, and the Wiki Omani Women initiative, which aimed to enrich the digital content of influential Omani women.  Oman was committed to respecting the principles of human rights, peace and development.

Questions by Committee Experts 

MAYA MORSY, Committee Expert and Rapporteur for Oman , hailed Oman’s adoption of the basic law, which ensured cohesion and equality, including for non-nationals.  The Committee welcomed the amendments of the human rights law and the nationality law, among others.  What was Oman doing to integrate the Convention into the legal framework?  How did the basic law incorporate the Constitutional definition of discrimination and ensure that it was enforced?  How was workplace discrimination prohibited by labour laws and how did these laws protect the rights of migrant workers?  How were girls’ rights integrated into education law?  How was the State party ensuring that legal services were available for all women?  How were women’s roles and development addressed in the Oman Vision?  How were women integrated into local and international peace initiatives?  Did Oman plan to remove all its reservations to the Convention?

Another Committee Expert asked who had the responsibility within the Government to protect women’s rights?  What were the key components of the National Women’s Strategy?  How did the State party monitor the implementation of the Strategy?  What percentage of the budget was allocated to the Strategy?

Oman had strengthened its national human rights institute, the Oman Human Rights Commission, by setting rules regarding the appointment of its members.  What was the State party doing to make the national human rights institute fully independent?  When did the State party expect the Commission to achieve “A” status?  What was its budget?  What were some complaints that the Commission had received related to women’s rights and what were their outcomes?  What measures were in place to protect women human rights defenders from harassment and intimidation?

One Committee Expert congratulated Oman on its efforts to implement the Convention through temporary special measures.  The number of women in Government bodies had recently increased because of these.  However, representation in the Shura Council remained low, and parity had not been achieved in any sector.  What additional temporary special measures would the State party adopt to improve gender equality in technology, housing and other sectors?  A significant employment gap between men and women persisted, with women’s employment rate at around 20 per cent compared to 80 per cent for men.  What measures were in place to improve women’s participation in employment and reduce the burden of unpaid care work on women?  What temporary special measures would Oman pursue to ensure a redistribution of wealth for the benefit of vulnerable groups of women?  Did the State party have a gender responsive budget system? 

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said the basic law ensured equality between men and women and called on the State to provide care for women, children and persons with disabilities.  State laws, including laws on education, affirmed that discrimination based on gender or other grounds was prohibited.  All individuals were equal in rights and duties.  The State party was working with non-governmental organizations to elaborate an action plan for implementing the National Women’s Strategy, which would include a chapter dedicated to women, peace and security.

Several measures had been taken to ensure access to justice.  Online platforms had been set up for submitting complaints to the Prosecution service.  Translation services were provided free of charge in the justice system.  Criteria for obtaining legal aid had been determined in 2009.  These were applied to all persons, including foreign citizens.  Applicants with low financial resources, including domestic workers, were able to access legal aid.

The labour law prohibited workplace discrimination.  Employers had a duty to treat employees equitably and fairly.  The State had received 153 complaints from migrant workers through a dedicated complaints mechanism.  The Ministry for Social Development planned to amend labour laws and regulations to ensure that women’s working environments were safe and there were no obstacles to their working activities.

The State party had adopted policies to promote women’s participation in decision making.  There was no discrimination between men and women in appointments to high office.  A training manual was issued to support women candidates to be elected.  A programme was also in place promoting women’s representation in political and Government bodies, and another programme informed the public on the contents of the Convention.  Oman had implemented several programmes to economically empower low-income women, women with disabilities and women inmates, who were supported to start businesses and sell their products. 

Oman had the right to make reservations to the Convention.  The State party had reservations only with provisions of the Convention that were not in line with Islamic Sharia.  Reservations did not violate the rights of women.  However, the State party was reviewing these reservations regularly. 

The State investigated complaints received by the Human Rights Commission, cooperating with partners to address these issues.  The Commission had been aligned with the Paris Principles and received resources from the Ministry of Finances.  It would soon be reaudited by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.  Women human rights defenders could submit complaints of harassment to the Commission, which were duly investigated by the police force.

Questions by Committee Experts 

One Committee Expert congratulated the State party on steps taken to eliminate gender-based violence and gender stereotypes.  Domestic violence was reportedly common.  Legislation did not address marital rape, honour killings or domestic violence specifically.  Were measures in place to develop such legislation?  How did the State party plan to prevent honour killings?  How had the toll-free protection line helped in addressing violence against women?  Could the State party provide data on the number of sentences and convictions issued for cases involving violence against women?  Were there any awareness raising campaigns addressing female genital mutilation?  The State party’s programmes promoting family stability were commendable.  However, stereotypes relating to women hindered progress toward gender equality.  What measures were in place to promote gender equality and eliminate gender stereotypes?

A Committee Expert said that there were legal and policy gaps that facilitated trafficking in persons and forced labour in Oman.  Over 469 domestic workers reportedly had had their passports withheld.  Why was this practice still prevalent?  Ninety-nine per cent of domestic workers reportedly did not have days off, and many worked around 20 hours per day.  What measures were in place to prevent the practice of debt bonding, which kept domestic workers from leaving?  Was there a complaints mechanism for all cases of workplace discrimination that domestic workers and migrant workers could access? 

The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking had established a taskforce for bringing perpetrators to justice, but in 2021 and 2022, no traffickers had been prosecuted.  Why was this?  It was commendable that the Government had established a shelter for victims of trafficking, but the shelter was only available for victims who agreed to participate in court proceedings.  Would the Government consider lifting this restriction?  Prostitution was prohibited in Oman, but seemingly only prostitutes, rather than clients, were punished.  Were there any plans to change this?

Another Committee Expert said there were still very few women judges, and women’s representation in local governments was also low.  Had the State party considered implementing a quota system for women’s representation?  Did the State party plan to use new technologies to promote women’s participation in elections?  How could civil society support women to participate in elections?  What initiatives were planned to implement the women, peace and security agenda?

One Committee Expert said that the Committee had previously called on the State party to allow Omani women married to foreign men to transmit their nationality to their children.  The law allowing the marriage of Omanis and foreigners was commendable, but it was disappointing that it did not go further.  Were there plans to allow Omani women married to foreign men to transfer their nationality to their children?  How did the new basic law apply to non-citizens?  Did labour recruitment offices promote different salaries based on nationality of the worker, including lower salaries for certain African nationalities?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said all acts of violence against women and girls were criminalised.  Honour killing crimes were not permitted.  The State had registered around 1,800 crimes of violence against women between 2017 and 2021.  The Prosecution worked expeditiously to investigate all complaints of violence against women.  It included an ad-hoc department that examined complaints relating to women and families.  Staff had been trained to deal with such cases.

The Ministry of Labour worked on raising awareness of the rights of female migrant workers, who could contact official channels in cases of abuse by employers.  Persons who withheld passports of employees were required to pay fines of up to 5,000 Omani rials.  Judicial mechanisms to settle employment disputes had been set up.  Workers whose contract had expired could choose another employer without having to receive a “no objection” certificate from their previous employers.  In 2023, over 1,500 complaints related to workplace discrimination had been received by the State.  Complainants could resort to the courts if mediation between employees and employers failed.  Employment contracts could be terminated by employees if there were breaches by employers.  A future revision of the labour law would address domestic workers’ rights specifically, requiring employers to provide a minimum salary and days off for domestic workers in labour contracts. 

Shelters for victims of domestic violence and trafficking provided psychosocial support, healthcare services and legal protection in cooperation with civil society organizations.  Foreign victims were provided with tickets to return to their countries. 

The Ministry of Education analysed school curricula to promote principles of gender equality and eliminate stereotypes related to gender roles.  The Ministry was leading awareness raising campaigns on preventing female genital mutilation and sexual and moral abuse, and promoting positive parenting.  The Ministry of Health had held training courses for healthcare workers and seminars on harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation.

Oman did not recognise dual nationality and Omani women married to foreign husbands could not transmit their nationality to their children.  However, such children could access social protections, including the family subsidy, and State services.  The basic law set out that women and men of all nationalities on Omani territory had equal rights and responsibilities.

The law on the judiciary allowed for women’s equal right to representation on the judiciary and in the Prosecution service.  The “Vote” application helped to increase women’s participation in elections.  Women accounted for 65 per cent of voters in the most recent Shura Council elections.  The State party was drawing up a strategic action plan addressing the women, peace and security agenda.  Oman had been adopting action plans and programmes in collaboration with non-governmental organizations to support women to run for the Shura Council and other political bodies.

Questions by Committee Experts 

A Committee Expert commended the State party on increasing girls’ enrolment rate and decreasing illiteracy rates for women.  The State party’s dropout rate was low.  How was this achieved?  Girls’ participation in science and mathematics subjects was also commendable.  Why was the number of girls studying engineering and oil and gas-related subjects still low, and why were there only a few women working in this field?  What percentage of professors in higher education institutions were women?  Was psychological violence prevalent in schools?  Why was there a gender gap in the participation of girls and boys with disabilities in education?

One Committee Expert congratulated the State party on its 2021 digital revolution policy.  How were women leading the digital and economic renaissances?  Oman had announced the development of smart, sustainable cities.  How was the State party considering women’s rights and “womenomics” in the development of these cities?  Were rural women’s rights being considered?  What was being done to address the economic disempowerment of rural women?  When would Oman promulgate its new labour law?  Oman offered seven days of parental leave to fathers in this law.  Would it consider extending this?  What measures were in place to establish an accountability mechanism for workplace sexual harassment?  The kafala sponsorship system had yet to be fully dismantled in the State.  Would the State consider ratifying the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families and relevant International Labour Organization conventions?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said the rapid trafficking intervention taskforce was established in 2019.  It had addressed around 47 cases of trafficking between 2021 and 2023.  Investigations were undertaken by trained Public Prosecutor experts. 

Oman had implemented several measures to sustain its low dropout rates in its education system.  An ad-hoc committee had developed a database on dropouts that identified reasons for dropouts.  The State party was constantly raising awareness of the importance of education for women and girls.  There were various public and private initiatives encouraging women and girls to undertake studies in engineering and the fields of oil and gas.  A code of conduct for public and private schools had been developed that aimed to protect students from violence.  All cases of violence against children were reported to the relevant authorities. 

Oman was accelerating the integration of women with disabilities in society.  The State party had implemented various training and outreach events on the rights of women with disabilities.  An initiative empowering 500 persons with disabilities to join the labour force had been set up.

The smart cities project was developed in consultation with many women and other stakeholders to determine their needs.  There were also several initiatives promoting the economic empowerment of women.  In one such project, the State party trained many women to develop projects to contribute to the digital economy.  The Government had also implemented training and other initiatives to economically empower rural women, and increase their productivity, knowledge of artificial intelligence, and resilience to climate change.  There was no discrimination in the granting of loans.  More than two-thirds of beneficiaries of loans were women.

Parental leave was shorter for fathers than for mothers to cater for the differing needs of fathers and mothers.  Mothers were encouraged to return to work after giving birth.

The State aimed to protect the rights of domestic workers and dismantle the kafala system.  Discrimination based on race was prohibited in the labour law.  The Ministry of Labour had formed a committee that was aligning labour laws with International Labour Organization conventions.

Questions by Committee Experts 

One Committee Expert asked if Oman had ever had a female Minister of Defence.  Could women become generals or colonels?  How many women had become Chief Justices of the Supreme Court?  Had any women founded political parties, or become chiefs of the upper or lower houses of parliament?

Another Committee Expert asked if the State party would consider including sexual harassment and protections for domestic workers in the new labour law.

A Committee Expert said the State party had implemented various measures to promote women’s reproductive health.  Women could access free health services before, during and after childbirth.  The State party provided opportunities to access safe abortions, irrespective of the legal status of abortions.  Mental health services were also accessible.  What measures were in place to monitor and evaluate family planning services?  Was spousal consent still required for some reproductive health services?  How were health services tailored to address the health needs of girls?  Did specialised clinics address harmful cultural practices?  What data was available on domestic workers’ health conditions?  How effective were post-abortion health services?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said article 41 of the labour law addressed sexual harassment.  Workers who were sexually abused could request to have their contracts terminated.  All crimes occurring in the workplace were investigated and prosecuted under the Criminal Code.  Punishments were harsher for workplace crimes affecting women.  If women were sexually harassed in the workplace, they could lodge a complaint through an electronic system. 

Free family planning services were offered since 1994.  The Ministry of Health measured the impact of these services annually, finding them to have contributed to a drop in the birth rate and a rise in the average childbirth age.  There were no requirements for husbands to authorise wives’ access to such services.  Full primary health care services were available in all Oman’s governates.  Mental health services were available in primary health care clinics and specialised clinics.  Employers were required to provide domestic workers with access to health care services.

There had not yet been any female Ministers of Defence or Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Oman, but there was nothing preventing women from taking up these posts.  The Supreme Court was established in 1999.  All three presidents of the Supreme Court had been men, but women were not prevented from taking up the position of president.  There were 665 female lawyers in 2023.

Questions by Committee Experts 

One Committee Expert asked about measures to include women in the design, monitoring and evaluation of development plans.  The State party had a commendable loans system for small and medium enterprises and women entrepreneurs.  Under what conditions were loans assessed?  How did the State party ensure that economic empowerment programmes were reaching and benefitting women effectively?  How many women entrepreneurs had benefitted from such programmes?  What measures were in place to ensure that women entrepreneurs had equal access to funding and training as their male counterparts?  Was there a focus on girls in financial literacy education?  How many women with disabilities had benefitted from economic support initiatives?  What insurance benefits were available for women with disabilities?

Another Committee Expert congratulated the State party on its efforts to establish a grants system for rural women and for initiatives to address the impacts of climate change on women and girls.  How did the Reefi programme incentivise access to soft loans?  How had the State party promoted the participation of women in organizations working to tackle climate change?  How was the State party providing rural women with modern assistive technologies to support climate change adaption?  Migrant women workers reportedly continued to face exploitation and abuse.  How was the State party working to protect the rights of female migrant and domestic workers from exploitation and abuse?  What measures were in place to increase quotas for women with disabilities in educational institutions, promote access to health for women with disabilities, and provide women with disabilities with housing assistance?

A Committee Expert congratulated Oman for lifting its reservation to article 15 of the Convention and efforts to lift other reservations to international conventions.  Marriage was not based on equal rights between spouses in Oman.  Wives were expected to obey their husbands and risked losing financial protection if they refused to move from their family home or initiated divorce.  There had recently been an increase in Omani women initiating divorce.  Did the State party plan to amend the personal status law to guarantee equality between men and women in marriage and repeal provisions giving wives the duty of caring for their families?  Would the State party give women equal rights to property upon the dissolution of marriages, and prohibit polygamous marriages?  Would it grant equal rights to mothers and fathers to the custody of their children?

Responses by the Delegation

The delegation said doctors and health care workers received training on treating women and girls who were victims of violence or harmful practices.  Doctors in primary health centres also received training in diagnosing mental health issues.

The Reefi programme promoted women’s participation in the agricultural sector and women entrepreneurs; 195 women had benefitted from loans and training as part of this programme.  More than 22 marketing campaigns for Reefi products had been carried out.  The State had organised numerous awareness raising campaigns as part of the programme.  Rural women took part in consultations on the Government’s 2030 strategy on the environment and climate change.  Women had also participated in monitoring the implementation of this strategy. 

A risk management department had been established within the Ministry of Agriculture that drafted plans related to environmental challenges, including increased temperatures and drought.  The Ministry had endorsed various new technologies to aid adaption to the changing climate.  The Vice President of the Carbon Neutrality Programme was a woman.  This Programme had led various environmental initiatives.

There was no discrimination in access to healthcare for persons with disabilities, who were provided with priority access to surgeries and health services.  All persons with disabilities enjoyed full access to banking services.  Certain banks had reduced interest rates for loans for persons with disabilities, and implemented measures to support persons with disabilities’ access to banking services.  Specialised insurance schemes were provided for persons with disabilities.

The financial education curriculum did not discriminate between genders.  The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority provided financing and training for small and medium enterprises, as well as marketing services.  Training programmes for women entrepreneurs helped them to obtain basic skills for managing and operationalising their businesses.  The Oman Development Bank was providing loans to small producers and micro enterprises in priority sectors.  Loans were also provided to businesses affected by recent cyclones.  Nearly 40 per cent of small and medium enterprises were owned by women.

The law on civil status was due to be reviewed to bring it in line with changes in society, while respecting Islamic law.  If the Committee had direct proposals regarding the amendment of this law, Oman would consider these.  The law on civil status provided for equal responsibilities between men and women in caring for children.  Both spouses enjoyed financial independence under the law.  Women who acquired goods in their own name had the right to those goods after the dissolution of marriages.  Oman was currently reviewing all legislation.  The State party had developed a marriage preparation course that encouraged men to participate in raising children and housework.  Decisions regarding custody of children considered the best interests of the child.  Husbands could not withhold wives’ pensions.  Women were protected from retaliatory measures in divorce proceedings.

Concluding Remarks 

LAILA AHMED AWADH AL NAJJAR, Minister of Social Development of Oman and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the questions posed to the delegation.  The dialogue had been enriching for the delegation.  It spurred the State party to do better to boost the level of women’s empowerment and address barriers to women’s participation in society.  Oman was committed to implementing the Convention and tapping the full potential of women.  With the full participation of women, Oman could achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  The State party would continue to work to empower women and all groups in society to play their part in forging a brighter future.

HIROKO AKIZUKI, Committee Vice-Chair, thanked the delegation for the constructive dialogue, which provided an insight into the status of women’s rights in Oman.  The Committee commended the efforts made by the State party and encouraged it to make further efforts to implement the Committee’s recommendations for the benefit of all women and girls in Oman.

Link: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summary/2024/02/experts-committee-elimination-discrimination-against-women

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