Omani women getting better education, taking up more jobs

Times News Service MUSCAT: There has been a dramatic increase in the participation of Omani women in the public and private sector, as well as a growing trend towards female Omani students opting for private school education and going on to pursue higher education, a study recently released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) reveals.

Over the nine-year period from 2003 to 2012, and with 2013 numbers being finalised, the number of Omani women working in the public sector, which includes Civil Service, Diwan of Royal court, Royal Court Affairs and Public Corporations, rose from 29,218 in 2003 to 68,200 in 2012.

During the same period, the number of Omani women working in the private sector trebled, with 35,248 Omani women registered with the Public Authority for Social Insurance versus the 2003 total of 13,385.

According to the NCSI figures, the number of Omani women holding top management, middle management and direct management positions within the Public Sector witnessed a healthy 50 per cent growth since 2008, with a total of 774 Omani women holding Senior Public Service positions against the 2008 total of 510.

At the end of 2012, Omani women accounted for approximately 10 per cent of all senior public sector roles in the country.

The figures highlight the increasing emphasis placed by the government on providing opportunities for talented Omani women to play a greater role in the public and private sector as the economy continues to diversify and grow. The study also reveals a growing trend amongst young Omani women to choose private schooling, and to pursue higher education.

According to the NCSI study, the number of Omani females enrolled in private schools has almost doubled since the 08/09 school year, with the total number of such Omani females rising to 32,434 for the 12/13 school year, against the 08/09 total of 17,218. During the same period, the number of Omani females enrolled in higher educational institutions rose by 20 per cent, with 51,048 Omani females enrolled in the 11/12 school year against the 07/08 total of 41,533.