An extract from a speech by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may his soul rest in peace, on the Opening the Annual Session of The Council of Oman, 16 November 2009 An extract from a speech by the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, may his soul rest in peace, on the Opening the Annual Session of The Council of Oman, 16 November 2009

“Since the beginning of this era we have given absolute priority to the participation of Omani women in the Blessed Renaissance. We have provided them with education, training and employment opportunities and supported their role and status in society, and we have also stressed the need for them to play their part in the different spheres of development. We have made this possible through regulations and laws that safeguard their rights and set out their duties so that they can develop their inner potential, expertise and skills in order to build their country and raise its status”.