The Omani Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) is the body responsible for the implementation of the Omani government’s visions in the field of social protection and empowerment. The MoSD extracted its past policy responsibilities from the strategic guidelines included in the eighth five-year plan developed by the Supreme Council of Planning. It is mandated to provide social protection involving social security and social care to families, children, people with disabilities and the elderly as well as other vulnerable groups. Additionally, it is mandated to develop and regulate the non-profit sector. The MoSD is also the key referral authority assessing eligibility for developmental services and social work. In the social policy sector, the MoSD coordinates with other ministries and relevant social institutions.
Planning within the MoSD is linked with the overall national planning process. In order to convert its visions and existing responsibilities into policies, projects and work programmes, the MoSD has set out a strategic plan, the Strategy on ‘Social Development’. The strategy has also informed the 9th national five-year plan 2016-2020, which is developed by the Supreme Council of Planning.
Professor Shereen Hussein working with UNICEF and other colleagues assisted the MoSD in developing such a strategy. The strategy covered six core pillars:
- Social protection;
- Social care;
- Family and community development;
- The rights of people living with disabilities;
- Civil society; and
- Institutional support.
Professor Shereen Hussein led the development of the ‘social care’ pillar and contributed to other pillars within the strategy. This development was based on extensive fieldwork including interviews with stakeholders, surveys of needs and workshops.
Image credit: Journaway Rundreisen, unsplash.com
Founder and Director
Shereen Hussein is a Health and Social Care Policy professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), United Kingdom.
Shereen Founded the MENARAH Network in 2019, through an initial grant from the Global Challenge Research Fund, UKRI. She is a medical demographer with expertise in ageing, family dynamics, migration and long-term care systems. Shereen regularly collaborates with the United Nations, the World Health Organisation and the World Bank in policy and research focused on ageing in the Middle East and North Africa Region.
Shereen received her undergraduate degree in statistics and a postgraduate degree in computer science at Cairo University. She completed an MSc in medical demography at the London School of Hygiene and a PhD in quantitative demography and population studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom.
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