Tuesday 29 / July / 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman stands as a pioneering nation in early childhood development, both in terms of policies and services. It was among the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and took early steps to enact legislation safeguarding children’s rights.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) office in Oman emphasised that the issuance of the Child Law in 2014 was clear evidence of this commitment. This was further reinforced by the 2023 School Education Law, which affirmed children’s right to early education, and the 2023 Social Protection Law, which established an integrated system of social benefits and insurance. These laws adopted international best practices in delivering benefits, including those for childhood and persons with disabilities, while working to enhance them to maximise protection and investment in childhood development and uphold principles of justice.
Sumaira Chowdhury, Representative of UNICEF in Oman, noted significant progress in social protection through the reinforcement of national policies aimed at supporting children and families, ensuring services reach the most vulnerable groups. This progress includes the development of social protection systems and improved inter-sectoral coordination to ensure a comprehensive response to beneficiaries’ needs.
She revealed that UNICEF Office plays a pivotal role in supporting national efforts by providing technical assistance and strategic guidance in policy and programme design. It also strengthens national capacities in data collection and analysis for evidence-based planning. In partnership with government entities, UNICEF, she added, works to enhance child protection systems and integrate them into the social protection framework, contributing to a comprehensive and sustainable system dedicated to the well-being of every child.
In an interview with Oman News Agency (ONA), she pointed out that the cooperation between Oman and UNICEF is built on a long-term strategic partnership dating back to 1971, aimed at promoting child rights across various fields, including education, health, protection, nutrition, and early childhood development. Both sides, she affirmed, work closely to develop national policies and programmes ensuring every child in Oman enjoys their rights fully and equitably, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Oman Vision 2040.
She explained that this collaboration takes the form of a joint country programme, coordinated with relevant Omani child welfare authorities. This programme is reviewed every five years, with annual implementation plans, and involves discussions on national priorities and programmes within UNICEF’s framework of support for government efforts to enhance child well-being, she added.
She further highlighted Oman’s growing focus on early childhood development, reflected in its integration into national priorities and increased investment in early care and education programmes. The emphasis on a child’s early years underscores Oman’s deep understanding of this critical phase in shaping a child’s future abilities and skills, she affirmed.
She further added: “Oman has achieved advanced rankings in childhood development indicators, universal immunisation, and inclusive education covering all children without exception. It continues to demonstrate commitment through innovative solutions, such as labour laws and family-friendly policies that grant parents adequate time to care for their children in their early years. These efforts position Oman as a global leader in child care and protection”.
The Representative of UNICEF in Oman noted that Oman implements a comprehensive package of programmes aimed at developing children’s and adolescents’ capacities in education, health, and community engagement. Today, she said, a qualitative shift is evident in adopting inclusive approaches addressing the needs of diverse groups, including children with disabilities and those at risk. UNICEF supports these initiatives and works to amplify their impact through technical cooperation and capacity-building.
She added that close collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and other relevant entities, such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education, has united efforts to analyse and understand child development pathways and protect children from all forms of abuse or harm. This institutional cooperation, she pointed out, includes updating the Child Protection Manual and preparing a study on establishing integrated early childhood centres to enhance coordination mechanisms among stakeholders, ensuring improved child case monitoring and high-quality, consistent follow-up.
She stated that national laws, such as the Child Law and the Child Protection Manual, are pivotal achievements positioning Oman among countries striving to protect child rights. From an international perspective, these laws reflect Oman’s genuine commitment to aligning its legislation with international conventions and standards, fostering a legal environment that ensures child protection and equity, she affirmed.
She said: “Oman plays a crucial role in supporting developmental and humanitarian programmes for children, both nationally and through its participation in regional and international efforts. UNICEF believes Oman can be an influential voice for children in the region by supporting initiatives promoting health, education, and child protection, especially in humanitarian crises.
Oman garners global attention for its noble stances and balanced support for child and humanitarian causes. Its peaceful and neutral policy makes it a reliable and friendly partner for all, particularly amid recurring humanitarian crises in the Middle East and North Africa. In this context, Oman has generously supported Gaza’s children by donating OMR385,000($1 million) to aid children in the sector, as part of its ongoing support for UNICEF’s global humanitarian and relief efforts”.
She added that key initiatives in pre-school education development include supporting child-friendly school environments and empowering teachers with inclusive teaching methods through the Future Skills Framework.
She explained that collaboration with the Ministry of Health focuses on building capacities in early childhood care services, alongside nutrition programs such as breastfeeding and mental health support. Joint efforts with the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Education, she pointed out, include a comprehensive study exploring pathways to implement the Education Law, which stipulates pre-school education as a fundamental right for every child. UNICEF is analysing strategies to ensure the rollout of early education services in Oman, alongside a study on enhancing early childhood development through integrated service centres.
She noted that UNICEF Oman implements programs strengthening the capacities of early-grade educators and social workers, providing continuous technical support to partners in the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to ensure intervention quality and sustainability. There is growing commitment to improving rehabilitation and care services for children with disabilities, alongside efforts to develop infrastructure, services, and qualified personnel, she added, stressing the need to enhance social and educational inclusion and develop early detection and intervention tools.
She pointed out that UNICEF plays a central role in supporting the Omani government to develop a unified national child protection system based on prevention, monitoring, and early intervention. It also works to raise community awareness, build frontline workers’ capacities, and develop standardised protocols for addressing violence, abuse, and neglect. The office launched a positive parenting training programme to educate parents and caregivers on child protection, proper nutrition, early learning stimulation, and social inclusion.
She further added that in collaboration with partners, local institutions, and the National Family Affairs Committee, UNICEF launched a national awareness campaign titled “Our Children, a Trust”, which received widespread engagement. The campaign continuously highlights the importance of early childhood development and its impact on children’s futures.
She said that UNICEF has also designed and implemented behaviour-change communication campaigns focusing on family and community roles in child protection, addressing emerging issues like cyberbullying, mental health, and violence. These initiatives, she pointed out, engage children and adolescents in expressing their needs and becoming part of the solution.
She added that in partnership with government entities, UNICEF launched a national strategic communication strategy for societal behaviour change, based on scientific evidence addressing practices, habits, and knowledge levels related to early childhood development. It also implements targeted awareness campaigns to improve social indicators, such as promoting breastfeeding and proper nutrition, fostering supportive environments for holistic child development.
