Oman 'regional pioneer for women's rights'

Muscat: Oman is one of the most advanced countries in the Gulf region as far as women's rights are concerned, according Dr Nora N. Alnahedh, resident representative (GCC) of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In a written statement to Gulf News, the Muscat-based-senior UNFPA official said that since the Renaissance in 1970, the Omani government has actively promoted female education with impressive results.

"Omani women have been working in various fields and actively participate in the national development process. Omani women also enjoy a lot of political, social and economic rights," she said on the occasion of International Women's Day on Saturday.

The UN official added UNFPA's regional office had focused on the development of Omani women since it opened in 2006.

"Empowerment of women and their inclusion in the workforce and ensuring that they benefit from education, health and vocational services in the country are some of UNFPA's priorities," said the UN official.

Moreover, the UNFPA focuses on ensuring that all women in Oman are protected from diseases and against discrimination at all levels. Based on that, she added, the UNFPA works hand in hand with the Ministry of Health to raise awareness amongst women.

With regard to employment and empowerment of women, Dr Nora revealed that the UNFPA had initiated, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, an employment programme for women in Wadi Bani Khalid province in the North Sharqiyah (eastern) region.

Childbirth: One death every minute

• According to UNFPA "one woman dies every minute from complications arising out of pregnancy and childbirth".
• More than 200 million women have an unmet need for family planning.
• More than two million people die of Aids every year, and HIV continues to spread, threatening people's lives and the development and stability of entire nations.