UN body’s praise for development of women in Oman

Muscat: UNFPA GCC has praised Oman for the development and welfare of its female population.
On March 8 every year, the world celebrates women around the globe and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also makes it a point to mark this significant date on its calendar.
“In Oman, women have achieved their potential and have been working side by side with men to participate in the country’s development process. They have access to their rights, particularly to much-needed health services,” said Asr Toson, UNFPA Gulf Cooperation Councol (GCC) Representative on the International Women’s Day.
“Thanks to the Health Vision 2050 of the Sultanate and the Ministry of Health’s mission focusing on improving access to health services and ensuring equity in health service availability and utilisation, there are major developments with regards to the health services available to women through many public clinics and hospitals. UNFPA GCC has been working with the Ministry of Health to ensure the availability of such services since the office’s inauguration in 2006,” he added.
Gender equality
UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin also issued a statement on the occasion stating that gender equality is a human right.
“Women are entitled to live with dignity and in freedom
from want and fear, without discrimination. Equality is also vital for sustainable development, peace and security. It’s not just a women’s issue. It’s an issue for all of humanity.
“Sadly, despite some progress, the world still has a long way to go to achieve full gender equality. Take, for instance, the fact that every year tens of thousands of girls are forced into child marriage—nearly a third of these before the age of 15, or that one woman in three experiences gender-based violence in her lifetime.” He encouraged people from all over the world to take responsibility.
New agenda
“The global community has an obligation to advance the new agenda for sustainable development, which enshrines gender equality as one of its goals.
“The ability of women to exercise their basic human rights, including their right to reproductive health, is a prerequisite for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
“UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is fully committed to ensuring the rights of women to health services, including birth spacing.
“On this International Women’s Day, we urge the global community to join us.
“Together, we can make a giant leap forward that saves lives, empowers women, advances gender equality and ensures a more prosperous and sustainable future for all of us.”