Photo by Linda Pappas Funsch Students at The Sultan's School, Oman's leading bilingual school, share with our delegation their career goals and aspirations. SLIDE SHOW: More photos

A VIDEO INTRODUCTION AUDIO SLIDE SHOW: Drawing from her collection of photos, Linda Pappas Funsch compares her experiences in Oman more than 30 years ago to those of her most recent trip.

Governments and societies of the Middle East are regularly portrayed as holding their females in virtual bondage, suppressing their freedoms and ignoring their vast potential. Contrary to these deeply entrenched Western beliefs and stereotypes, the role of women in the Arab world today is not confined to the domestic realm - that of mother and housewife - nor is it monolithic throughout the region.

The Omani renaissance, marked by the accession to power of Sultan Qaboos bin Sa'id Al Sa'id in 1970, signaled a new era for all citizens of this diverse and ancient land. For the first time, females were afforded universal access to education and guaranteed a role in nation-building.

In the early years of Sultan Qaboos' reign, women were invited into the armed forces and the police force. Encouraged by their monarch's commitment to national development, Omani women mobilized, eager to participate in all aspects of their nation's growth. They entered business, government service and technical establishments. They responded by seeking and securing jobs from supermarket check-out assistant to government minister.

In addition to maintaining a vital role as homemakers, women today are involved in all areas of life, working as doctors, dentists, teachers, bankers and entrepreneurs. At the airports, female officers work alongside men at baggage handling and security checks. At hotels throughout the Sultanate, Omani desk receptionists are just as likely to be women as men.

The progress of Omani women is reflected not only in burgeoning employment figures, but also in the variety of fields in which they serve. In both the private and public sectors, women are assuming increasingly high positions. They oversee successful businesses and volunteer in local communities, maintaining a commitment to playing a meaningful role in the new Oman.

Educated Omani women have attained positions of authority in the media, in business and in government. They are even represented at the highest levels of their foreign service, as evidenced by the recent appointment of two women who represent their country abroad, including the current ambassador of the Sultanate to the United States.

In both public and private sectors, women are entitled to subsidized maternity leave and equal pay for equal work. Gender discrimination in the workplace is strictly prohibited.

The Social Security system provides for old-age pensions, disability, medical and survivorship benefits to all employed citizens. Male workers are eligible for retirement at 60; for women, the age is 55.

In Oman, it is immediately evident, to even the most casual observer that, while women often pursue the freedom to dress as they wish by choosing to wear modest and traditional attire, their potential and ambitions are far from suppressed.

Women in this Arabian sultanate are today at the forefront of national life, in the workplace and in the polling place, working side-by-side with their male counterparts on the road to national development.