Wednesday 18 / March / 2026
New York: The Sultanate of Oman has affirmed that the process of empowering Omani women continues to progress steadily towards the realisation of a just and cohesive society that ensures the full rights of women and girls. It further underscored its sustained efforts to advance the principles of gender justice and equality, in alignment with its regional and international commitments.
In a statement delivered by Dr. Omar Said Al Kathiri, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations in New York, during the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women on the theme "Ensuring and Promoting Access to Justice for All Women and Girls," the Sultanate of Oman outlined its establishment of foundational principles for women’s empowerment as a central pillar of state-building. It has enabled women to participate alongside men across all sectors of national development, with the State remaining committed to ensuring that women enjoy their legally guaranteed rights.
Ambassador Al Kathiri emphasised that this sustained approach reflects the Sultanate of Oman’s dedication to achieving gender justice and equality. He affirmed that ensuring access to justice for women and girls is not merely an objective in itself, but an integral component of the national development process and a manifestation of the country’s commitment to international covenants and the Sustainable Development Goals.
He further noted that the Basic Law of the State enshrines the principle of equality before the law, a principle reinforced by national legislation that guarantees women’s rights through a comprehensive legal framework. Laws have been enacted to address women’s needs in the social and economic spheres, including the expansion of social insurance coverage, the consolidation of equality in education and the endorsement of equal opportunities in candidacy and elections, he added.
He highlighted the notable achievements of Omani women as a result of national strategies implemented by the State. The representation of women in the judiciary has increased, particularly through appointments in the Public Prosecution. Women have also demonstrated a prominent presence in financial activities, insurance services, and the information and communications technology sector, in addition to their growing contributions to research and development and their leadership roles in civil society institutions as board chairs.
The Ambassador indicated that the proportion of female beneficiaries of social protection programmes has reached 49.9 percent, confirming that Omani women have become active partners in development. Their position within the State is founded upon the principles of justice, equality, and equal opportunity, reflecting the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to enhancing their status both domestically and internationally, he affirmed.
In conclusion, he stated that the Sultanate of Oman has adopted all necessary measures to ensure that all individuals, including women, have access to justice and effective legal recourse through fully integrated legislative and judicial systems. These systems guarantee women’s rights to litigation and legal protection, and provide accessible means through high-quality technical services that ensure procedural efficiency and transparency, thereby upholding the rule of law and facilitating access to effective justice.
