Muscat Declaration Reaffirms Arab Commitment to Women's Empowerment 30 Years After the Beijing Declaration

Muscat, December 9, 2024 – The Sultanate of Oman hosted a high-level regional meeting today, marking 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global framework for advancing women’s rights and gender equality. The event brought together ministers, senior officials from Arab national women’s affairs bodies, representatives of civil society, United Nations agencies, and human rights institutions.

The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Muscat Declaration, where Arab countries reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Beijing Declaration as a pivotal path for empowering women and girls. The event was co-organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in partnership with UN Women and the League of Arab States.

In her opening remarks delivered on behalf of Oman’s Minister of Social Development, Laila bint Ahmed Al Najjar, Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Shamsi highlighted Oman’s progress in promoting women’s rights, particularly through institutional and regulatory frameworks that prioritize gender equality. “International commitments remain a key priority for the Sultanate, reflecting national efforts to empower Omani women,” he emphasized.

Rola Dashti, ESCWA Executive Secretary, noted significant strides in recent years, with over 100 legislative reforms enacted across Arab nations to enhance women’s justice, workplace rights, and safety. However, she underscored ongoing challenges, including armed conflicts that have affected more than 15 million women and girls in the region. “These compelling circumstances require us to renew our commitment to the Beijing Principles, adapt our strategies, and innovate to ensure no one is left behind,” Dashti stated.

The discussions focused on four core priorities: combating violence against women, enhancing economic participation, supporting decision-making roles, and protecting women during conflicts. Highlighting global initiatives, participants also noted upcoming events such as the UN Women’s Commission on the Status of Women in New York next March.

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, emphasized the critical role of women’s empowerment in achieving sustainable development and peace. “As we mark 30 years of the Beijing Declaration, the Muscat Declaration underscores that equality and empowerment are not optional—they are essential. We must transform commitments into actionable steps that drive meaningful change in women’s lives.”

The meeting showcased the Comprehensive Arab Report on progress made in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action. Based on national reports from 18 Arab countries, the findings highlighted legislative advancements and improved participation but acknowledged persistent challenges posed by regional conflicts and crises.

Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, reiterated the significance of 2025 as a turning point for amplifying Arab women’s voices globally, particularly during the upcoming 69th Commission on the Status of Women. She called for collective action to alleviate the burdens women continue to bear from wars and crises.

ESCWA, in partnership with UN Women and the League of Arab States, has led extensive consultations with parliaments, civil society, and human rights organizations to ensure inclusivity in preparing these reviews.

The Muscat Declaration marks a renewed commitment to accelerating progress over the next five years, aligning with the Beijing Declaration’s focus on 12 critical areas for advancing gender equality and women’s active societal participation.

ESCWA is one of the five regional United Nations commissions, promoting sustainable economic and social development in Arab countries and fostering regional integration. UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, serving as a global champion for women and girls.

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Perumal Koshy: Perumal Koshy is Editor of Global SME News and Director of Strategic Initiatives at Enterprise Futures Lab. He writes on MSMEs, enterprise development, and policy issues affecting small business ecosystems.
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