The number of women working in Oman’s public and private sectors has seen a dramatic increase in the past decade, said a report.

There is also a growing trend in women students opting for private school education and seeking higher education, said the Oman Daily Observer report.

Omani women working in the public sector, which includes civil service, Diwan of Royal court, Royal Court Affairs and public corporations increased from more than 29,000 in 2003 to over 68,000 in 2012, with figures for 2013 being finalised, said a recent study by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Meanwhile, the number of women working in the private sector trebled from around 13,000 to 35,000, said the study.

Those holding top management, middle management and direct management positions in the public sector witnessed a 50 per cent growth since 2008, with women accounting for about 10 per cent of all senior public sector roles, said the report.