Women in Oman have access to their rights, says UNFPA

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat- Women in Oman have access to their rights, particularly to health services, says the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) GCC representative on International Women's Day.

International Women's Day is celebrated world over every year on March 8.

Asr Toson, UNFPA's GCC representative was quoted in a statement, '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 in regard 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.'

UNFPA executive director, Dr Babatunde Osotimehin in a statement said, 'Gender equality is a human right. Women are entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and fear, without discrimination. Equality is also vital to sustainable development, peace and security. It's not just a women's issue. It's an issue for all of humanity.'

He added, '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 one third of these before the age of 15.

'Or that one woman in three experiences gender-based violence in her lifetime. Some 200mn women and girls have endured female genital mutilation. And there are 225mn women who want healthcare services, but are not getting it.

'The global community has an obligation to advance the new agenda for sustainable development, which enshrines equality as one of its goals.

'The ability of women to exercise their basic human rights, including their right to health facilities, is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development goals. UNFPA 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 equality and ensures a more prosperous and sustainable future for all of us.'

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