Women’s Empowerment Contributes to Successful Development Strategy in Oman

The Omani Ministry of Manpower has recently revealed figures on provision of jobs for Omani nationals. These figures reflect the progress made in government’s strategy of seeing that more and more Omanis are able to better their economic status as well as contribute to nation-building.

In the overall development of Omani society and economic advancement of the Sultanate, it is the supreme duty of nationals to play a greater role. And in this direction, as ministry figures show, a total of 62,762 Omanis gained employment in the private sector out of 104,475 job-seekers employed in different sectors of the economy last year.

A total of 24,000 jobs came through the Sanad programme while training opportunities were made available for job-seekers in addition to 10,500 holders of the General Education Diploma being admitted to colleges of technology. Once these candidates complete their specific training courses, they will be eligible for job placements in various economic sectors.

Although some nationals would like to opt for opportunities in public sector establishments and undertakings, the various initiatives by the ministry to tackle unemployment among nationals are working smoothly. The ministry and its coordinating units had fast-tracked their strategy to ease the unemployment situation, and every avenue is being explored in this direction. While there is increasing cooperation from private companies and establishments regarding employment of nationals, a large number of jobs are available in the private sector for Omanis, and the labour market also has the capacity to absorb many of them. During the annual meeting of the various heads of department of the Ministry of Manpower, at Oman Tourism College last week, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Bakri, the Minister of Manpower, called for increasing employment opportunities in the private sector in coordination with the ministry and the Public Authority for Manpower Registry so that more national job-seekers could find suitable placements.

The minister also called for steps to regulate the labour market, and said that committees entrusted with the task of Omanisation now have representatives from the industrial stakeholders to develop policies for these committees and approve plans. While the ministry is making all efforts to realise the dreams of job-seekers and thereby involve more of them in national development, training for specific job categories rests with the candidates themselves.

Also, training facilities which are being provided by government and private institutions and companies need to be constantly updated as technological development is a continuous process. In this respect, refresher courses are regularly organised by the public and private sector so that national employees keep abreast of the latest developments which will serve them well in their careers. This is in line with the ministry’s efforts to develop human resources through training of employees.

Emphasis is also being placed by the ministry on vocational training, and efforts are being made in this direction to increase admissions to the vocational training and fishermen’s rehabilitation centre. Each year, hundreds of Omanis graduate from colleges and universities, and while many of them opt for higher studies, there are also those who look for jobs in order to better their economic status

The strategy of job-market in the Sultanate caters also for stimulating jobs for women, particularly from low income families. Omani officials believe that every little gesture should be considered as part of a larger scheme of things for economic and social development in the Sultanate. In this regard, the signing of an agreement between Oman LNG (Liquidated Natural Gas) and Omani Women’s Association in the Governorate of Al Buraimi is a positive initiative that reflects the corporate world’s social responsibilities in the context of building healthy and thriving societies. What is termed as a social investment programme is essentially a partnership of sorts, one that aims to empower communities, champion innovation and invest in people. Commitment to social and economic improvement appears to be the central idea that drives such initiatives.

In the Sultanate, women play a major role in addressing society’s issues and problems in addition to raising awareness and promoting cultural values. In this direction, the Omani Women’s Association with several branches spread all over the country, is making tremendous efforts to sort out issues that arise in Omani society, and also empower women so that they can better their economic status. With the signing of the agreement in Buraimi, the association will receive 20 laptops and desktop-computers, 20 sewing machines, air-conditioners and photo-copying and laminating machines from Oman LNG which will go to providing vocational training to women from low income families.

The Ministry of Social Development, which oversees this aspect of empowering people, has approved the handing over of the items for use by the association in its vocational programmes. Various initiatives of the association involve imparting skills like tailoring, and computer literacy to the people which can help them to enhance their income, in addition to providing them with a worthwhile occupation.

The role of women in social development, through associations that work to empower women and also raise the cultural level in Omani society, is an integral part of the overall social progress in the country.

Rehabilitation of children and their pre-school preparations also comes within this strategy. Going beyond their stereotype of just social services and activities, means that women can create cultural and social awareness among people and focus on values that have traditionally served Omani society well. Women’s empowerment is an ongoing process in the Sultanate since 1970.

While there is a plethora of opportunities available for women in the economic sector, it is necessary to expand social avenues since social development is continuous. The government is active in this direction, particularly in regard to women, children and the Omani family in general.

It is noteworthy that the Sultanate’s drive into the modern age has come in accordance with a careful balance between its rich cultural heritage and the demands of the modern age.