On 30 April- 2 May, UNFPA Sub-regional office for the GCC countries (UNFPA GCC) conducted a three-day workshop in co-operation with the Ministry of Social Development in Oman under 2018 UNFPA GCC annual work plan.

The workshop was titled ‘Capacity building for employees working at the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development Sections to be able to analyze the social and legal cases related to women and provide need-based programmes’.

The workshop, which highlighted also the provisions of CEDAW convention and the linkages between its provisions and the applicable gender related laws in Oman, was attended by more than 40 officials from MoSD led by Ms. Jamila Jaddad, Director of the Women’s Affairs Department at the Ministry. UNFPA GCC provided technical assistance, logistics support and training needs including an experienced international trainer in subject matter in consistent with the Ministry’s areas of work and the employees’ needs and requirements to have the skills which enable them to analyze women related cases in the Sultanate including GBV, marital, social, financial and heritage issues.

The opening speeches were given by H.E Dr. Yehia bin Badr bin Malek al Mewali, Undersecretary of the Ministry, which was read on behalf of him by Ms. Jamila Jaddad, and Mr. Asr Toson, UNFPA GCC Representative.

UNFPA GCC representative said that the workshop was a reflection of the policy of the government in Oman, which pays attention to women’s role and supports their activities in all aspects of life.

On the other side, Ms. Jaddad said “the workshop comes to crown a long term fruitful co-operation with UNFPA, which works in the country to support the Ministry of Social Development, so its employees are able to deliver their message and achieve their mission.”

On the last day, MoSD distributed the achievement certificates to the staff members participated in the workshop and who provided added-value input to the final recommendations given by the training expert. Appreciation certificates were also dedicated to UNFPA GCC staff members for their work that rendered the successful delivery of the workshop.