NEW YORK: The Sultanate of Oman is keen to provide an attractive environment to support scientific innovations for Omani women, which contributes in enhancing their position and achieving many accomplishments at the regional and international levels.
This was stated by Dr Laila bint Ahmed al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, who was leading Oman’s delegation at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), held in New York from March 10 to 21. The session focuses on reviewing and appraising the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
A side event was held under the title 'Women and Technology: Inspiring Stories in the GCC Countries'. During this event Dr Al Najjar delivered Oman’s speech.
Dr Al Najjar affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman has been keen on raising the efficiency of the infrastructure in educational and vocational institutions, by developing facilities and allocating digital laboratories suitable for all technological requirements. She also emphasised the importance of aligning specialisations with the requirements of the labour market, and providing economic sectors with qualified and trained national cadres in various advanced scientific and technological fields.
The minister said that statistics indicate an increase in women enrolment rates in the field of science and technology for the academic year 2024/2025.
Moreover, during the CSW69 the minister, head of Oman’s delegation at the high-level interactive dialogue with regional committees, delivered speech on “Muscat Declaration on Progress in Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in the Arab Region after Thirty Years.”
During the speech, the minister stressed that the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action present several strategic options and paths to advance the status of women and girls, enhance their rights and empower them.
In her speech, the minister condemned the continued Israeli aggression on the occupied Palestinian territories, and the unprecedented violations of international law and international humanitarian law. These violations include war crimes, crimes against humanity, including torture and genocide.
She also stressed the need to respect international resolutions related to the Palestinian situation and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the illegal status of the occupation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Dr Al Najjar also condemned the systematic violence against civilians in Sudan, especially women and girls who are subjected to serious violations that include multiple forms of violence.
She added that crises, conflicts and wars that some countries in the region are suffering from also affect neighbouring countries and the rest of the region. In such situations, women suffer from forced displacement and migration, as well as deprivation of basic services, including health, education and security.
The minister also stressed the commitment to consolidating the role of women in the Arab region in political leadership positions and enhancing their active participation in decision-making, enhancing the role of women in the economic development of the Arab region as a driving force for comprehensive change and sustainable growth, renewing the commitment to combating violence against women in the Arab region, and enhancing the enabling environment to achieve gender equality and enhance opportunities for justice and empowerment. — ONA
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