Oman

Oman is a monarchy that has been independent since the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1650. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, who overthrew his father in a coup, has ruled the country by royal decree since 1970. Islam is Oman's dominant religion. Nearly 75 percent of Omanis are Ibadi Muslims; however, there are a number of minorities of Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, as well as small Christian and Hindu communities. Women in Oman have made steady progress over the past decade; women's rate of participation in the labor force is on the rise, and an estimated one-third of all civil servants are women.

The principles that form the basis for legislation in the Sultanate are derived from the Islamic sharia, which honors women and guarantees their right to equality with men as a general rule. Oman is one of the more progressive states in the Gulf region in the area of women's rights. All present laws and regulations in Oman provide equal opportunities to women in trade, labor, civil service, and social insurance.

However, women's personal status is dictated by Islamic law and generally favors the rights of men over the rights of women in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and child custody. Women are not considered heads of households. It is required by law for women to have the permission of a father, husband, or male family member to travel outside the country. Omani women have the right to choose their husbands and are free to accept or refuse a marriage partner suggested by their family. Women have the right to vote and run for office in elections. Female participation in the workforce remains low, and areas of discrimination still persist.

Females have equal opportunities to enroll in public education at all stages, free of charge. In 19992000, there were 93.2 percent females to males in primary school, 105.5 percent of females to males in secondary school, and (in 1999) 71 percent of females to males in university and higher education.

The government of the Sultanate of Oman has paid special attention to primary and preventive health care for women, with policies to provide comprehensive and continuous health care to mothers and children. Birth control is free in all institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health, but is also available through private hospitals, dispensaries, and commercial outlets. In 1995, the prevalence of modern contraceptive rate was 18 percent. Abortion is only permitted to save the life of the woman.

Women in the public and private sectors are granted 40 days of paid maternity leave. Once back at work, they are given time during the day to go home and feed their babies. Women are eager to nurse in the early months because of breastfeeding's contraceptive effects. In a society where large families are the norm and contraception is not widely practiced, most women are aware that exclusive nursing can delay the return of menstruation and will breastfeed for that reason alone.