17 November 2007
THE Ministry of Social Development has made giant strides since its inception, in bringing Renaissance to many social aspects of the life of the citizens. The ministry's privileges came into effect with promulgation of Royal Decree No. 32/2003.
It is noted that the ministry, since its inception, has been conducting a series of studies and researches in various social aspects in order to gauge the reality and prepare for appropriate social development programmes such as specialised programmes for women, children and families.
As part of promoting the status of social security families and providing them with basic resources for living, the ministry has adopted a number of policies including social security pension for limited-income families as per the Social Security Law came into effect through Royal Decree No.87/84.
There are 49,452 families benefiting from the social security pension worth RO31.7 million till the end of the year 2006. As part of the government's efforts in developing the social services in health, education and culture for the families coming under the umbrella of social security scheme, the ministry has implemented many programmes.
It is noteworthy that as part of the ministry's efforts in promoting education for the families covered under the social security scheme, the ministry has provided 1,500 interior schools and colleges getting benefit from this programme between the academic year 2000-2001 to 2006-2007, with a total expenditure of RO48.2 million.
The ministry has conducted, over the last years, a number of studies and researches on social and economic aspects of the families and communities as well as analytical studies on orphaned children.
As a result of these studies and researches, the ministry has adopted many schemes on promoting the living standards of the families with limited income and those coming under the social security schemes.
As part of the ministry's efforts in providing appropriate housing facilities for the social security families and other limited-income families, the ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Oman Charitable Organisation, has constructed 365 housing units worth RO3.9 million and renovated some 271 houses at a cost of RO412,600.
As part of the government's efforts in consolidating local communities and associations and other charitable associations, Royal Decree (No.14/2000) was issued, constituting local organisations and specifying their activities and regulations. These social, cultural and charitable organisations have played a significant role in promoting social development by implementing a number of social and charitable programmes in coordination with the ministry.
The activities of these organisations included helping the needy people, giving assistance to the victims of the natural calamities, sponsoring orphans, giving assistance to the needy families, renovating houses, and giving financial assistance to the poor students.
It is noted that Al Wafa Voluntary Social Centres in various parts of the Sultanate are providing social cares and training for the disabled children through its dedicated volunteers. There are 21 branches located in various parts of the Sultanate under the banner of Al Wafa Social Volunteer Centre.
The Omani women have achieved many successes in social arenas. As part of promoting the role of women, the ministry has taken many steps in order to activate the role of women so as to bring about comprehensive development in social and economic fields in the country.
It is noted that the Sultanate signed an international pact on discrimination against women on May 7, 2005. The Sultanate is one of the pioneering nations that formed a committee to follow up the implementation of this pact and prepared a national report in this regard in the wake of a Ministerial Decision No.348/2005.
It is also noteworthy that as part the keenness of the government on childcare, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a royal decree, constituting a system of the national committee for family affairs and reformation of the national committee for childcare.
There are 60 child incubators in various parts of the Sultanate under the care of the ministry. It is worth mentioning that physically challenged students have achieved qualitative success in sports and games.
The national team of the physically challenged children have won a total of 20 medals in the fifth Regional Athletic Championship for the Middle East and North Africa region held in the United Arab Emirates in 2006.
THE Ministry of Social Development has made giant strides since its inception, in bringing Renaissance to many social aspects of the life of the citizens. The ministry's privileges came into effect with promulgation of Royal Decree No. 32/2003.
It is noted that the ministry, since its inception, has been conducting a series of studies and researches in various social aspects in order to gauge the reality and prepare for appropriate social development programmes such as specialised programmes for women, children and families.
As part of promoting the status of social security families and providing them with basic resources for living, the ministry has adopted a number of policies including social security pension for limited-income families as per the Social Security Law came into effect through Royal Decree No.87/84.
There are 49,452 families benefiting from the social security pension worth RO31.7 million till the end of the year 2006. As part of the government's efforts in developing the social services in health, education and culture for the families coming under the umbrella of social security scheme, the ministry has implemented many programmes.
It is noteworthy that as part of the ministry's efforts in promoting education for the families covered under the social security scheme, the ministry has provided 1,500 interior schools and colleges getting benefit from this programme between the academic year 2000-2001 to 2006-2007, with a total expenditure of RO48.2 million.
The ministry has conducted, over the last years, a number of studies and researches on social and economic aspects of the families and communities as well as analytical studies on orphaned children.
As a result of these studies and researches, the ministry has adopted many schemes on promoting the living standards of the families with limited income and those coming under the social security schemes.
As part of the ministry's efforts in providing appropriate housing facilities for the social security families and other limited-income families, the ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Housing and Oman Charitable Organisation, has constructed 365 housing units worth RO3.9 million and renovated some 271 houses at a cost of RO412,600.
As part of the government's efforts in consolidating local communities and associations and other charitable associations, Royal Decree (No.14/2000) was issued, constituting local organisations and specifying their activities and regulations. These social, cultural and charitable organisations have played a significant role in promoting social development by implementing a number of social and charitable programmes in coordination with the ministry.
The activities of these organisations included helping the needy people, giving assistance to the victims of the natural calamities, sponsoring orphans, giving assistance to the needy families, renovating houses, and giving financial assistance to the poor students.
It is noted that Al Wafa Voluntary Social Centres in various parts of the Sultanate are providing social cares and training for the disabled children through its dedicated volunteers. There are 21 branches located in various parts of the Sultanate under the banner of Al Wafa Social Volunteer Centre.
The Omani women have achieved many successes in social arenas. As part of promoting the role of women, the ministry has taken many steps in order to activate the role of women so as to bring about comprehensive development in social and economic fields in the country.
It is noted that the Sultanate signed an international pact on discrimination against women on May 7, 2005. The Sultanate is one of the pioneering nations that formed a committee to follow up the implementation of this pact and prepared a national report in this regard in the wake of a Ministerial Decision No.348/2005.
It is also noteworthy that as part the keenness of the government on childcare, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a royal decree, constituting a system of the national committee for family affairs and reformation of the national committee for childcare.
There are 60 child incubators in various parts of the Sultanate under the care of the ministry. It is worth mentioning that physically challenged students have achieved qualitative success in sports and games.
The national team of the physically challenged children have won a total of 20 medals in the fifth Regional Athletic Championship for the Middle East and North Africa region held in the United Arab Emirates in 2006.
© Times of Oman 2007
