The (NCSI) published the third issue of 'Towards the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals,' which reviews the status of the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Sultanate.

This issue focuses on the fifth goal of the 17 objectives of SDGs aimed at addressing urgent global challenges until the year 2030. The fifth objective is 'Gender Equality,' which includes 9 targets measured by various indicators. The first target of the report mentions the fifth of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, which talks about elimination of all forms of discrimination against women of all ages everywhere. The report says that the country's statutes, issued by the Royal Decree No. 101/1996, and the laws made in the Sultanate guarantee equality among citizens and ensure that they are not discriminated for any reason. Regarding elimination of all harmful practices, such as child marriages, early marriage, forced marriage and female genital mutilation, the statistics show that according to multiple indicators cluster survey (MICSS) data conducted in 2014, about 1.2 percent of females aged between 20 and 24 years were married before the age of 15, and 4 percent were married before the age of 18. Regarding the target on recognition of unpaid caretakers, unpaid domestic workers, those who provide public services and infrastructure, development of social protection policies, promotion of shared responsibility within the household and family at the national level, the indicators show that the average number of hours that Omanis dedicate to domestic work and daily care is two hours in the case of males and five hours in the case of females. This is the average time spent by men and women in their own domestic works. They include preparing food, washing dishes, cleaning the house, laundry, shopping, childcare, as well as taking care of patients, elderly, or people with disabilities. Regarding the target of women's active participation and gender equality in leadership roles at all levels of decision making in political, economic and public life, the publication shows that the ratio of seats occupied by women in national councils and municipal councils is 9 percent during the period (2015 - 2019). This includes State Council and Shura Council. About 3.5 percent was occupied by women in the municipal councils for the period (2016 – 2020). The publication also revealed the percentage of women in senior and mid-level management positions in civil services institutions. About 7.1% of ambassadors, 7.5% of general managers, 5.6% of advisors, 5.8% of undersecretaries or their equivalents, 13.8% of heads of departments and 9.6% as directors of departments are females, according to the statistics of the year 2017. Regarding the target of ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health services and rights, as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, Beijing Platform for Action and concluding documents of their review conferences, the publication showed that the 29.5% percent of married Omani women between the age of 15 and 49 used family planning methods in 2014, compered to 24.8% in 2000. The ratio of women who received care during pregnancy was 97.8% in 2000 and 99% in 2017.

The Ministry of Health of the Sultanate of Oman is implementing Maternal and Child Health Services Program since 1987 and the Maternal and Child Health Support Program since 1994. The Sultanate is one of the countries, which guarantee the right of citizens of all ages to health care in all its forms, including health and reproductive health care. With regard to reforms on granting women equal rights to economic resources, as well as their access to property rights, use of land and other properties, and financial services, inheritance and natural resources under national laws, the publications says that women's share of agricultural land ownership was 10 percent in 2017, whereas the joint ownership of women and men in agricultural land was 11 percent.

Similarly, women in the Sultanate of Oman have the right to own and dispose of their property as they wish. This is her guaranteed right, whether she is married or unmarried, in accordance with Article 11 of the Basic Law of the State. Regarding the use of empowering technology, especially Information and Communications Technology, the publications showed that the percentage of female owning mobile phone in the Sultanate was 87% in 2016. On the policies and regulations for gender equality, the Sultanate of Oman has consistently allocated funds for five-year and annual plans in its general budgets, which cover all sectors and areas including health, education, social development, employment, training, financing of small and medium enterprises. These budgets include women in the above sectors.

NCSI is responsible for monitoring indicators of sustainable development goals, in cooperation with the relevant government bodies of the Sultanate. It provides necessary data and indicators in accordance with international standards. Since 2016, the world has started implementing Sustainable Development Plan 2030. It is a transformational action plan based on 17 sustainable development goals and aimed at addressing urgent global challenges until the year 2030. To access the report, please visit the website of NCSI: www.ncsi.gov.om.

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