Muscat, Dec 25 - The Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) has recommended separate rooms or counselling rooms until the juvenile courts are constituted, as the trials conducted in public courts do not offer privacy. This is part of the ministry’s efforts to provide social protection to some sections of Omani society. It also suggested the setting up of family courts, a recommendation made during the Omani Women’s Symposium in 2009. This matter was discussed during a ‘Family and Social Issues’ workshop held on Monday in the Superior Council of Justice under the auspices of Dr Yahya bin Bader al Mawali, Under-Secretary, MoSD.
It saw 80 participants from Ministries of Social Development, Justice, Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Public Prosecution and the Council of Administrative Affairs for the Judiciary. On the issue of begging in public, the workshop recommended photography or videos to record such incidents. Al Mawali, in his speech, said the ministry works to develop the capabilities of Omani citizens, enhance the values/ family ties emanating from the teachings of true Islamic religion and the Omani customs and traditions to create a coherent and cohesive society.
“The ministry is keen to address the social problems appearing from time to time through research. It cares for children, women, persons with disabilities, children at risk of delinquency and low-income families. Many cases are brought before the courts in this connection,” he said.
Confirming that the Sultanate is part of the international system, he said it cares for human rights and works to strengthen them in accordance with national laws, legislations and international conventions.
MoSD follows three conventions, including the Convention on Rights of the Child, the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women ‘CEDAW’ and the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Suad Said al Yazidi, Head of Women’s Affairs, talked about objectives of the department in preparing the national plans and strategies, and improving the quality of services provided to Omani kids in foster institutions.
According to statistics for the third quarter of 2017, the number of children adopted in the Sultanate has reached 358.
The workshop discussed several topics, including victims of human trafficking, women and children exposed to violence/ abuse, ‘Juveniles: Finding ways to give them sound education and care, and rehabilitating them according to their abilities’, combating begging, reintegrating addicts into society after their recovery, and social security.
Zainab al Nassri
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