The Ministry of Petroleum is always paying a great attention to working women and is always keen to improve women position. The Ministry has safeguarded many privileges and facilities that contributed to improving women conditions and psychological stability in a way that enhances directly their family life and stability. The Ministry exerted all efforts to overcome all obstacles that may face the working women in the petroleum sector or hinder her ability to succeed and take part in all aspects of life. The Ministry held the initiative among other state sectors in giving qualified women the chance to chair petroleum companies and occupy high rank positions in its authorities and companies. The Ministry’s contributions in this aspect included:

• Equality between men and women regarding employment rules according to the constitution and laws, without any violation of women’s constitutional and legal rights. • The data base for the petroleum sector concerning the employment of working women in headquarters and main branches of Petroleum Sector indicates an average percentage of 40% of the total employees. • For the first time the working woman occupied the highest positions in the Petroleum Sector. She was appointed to be the chairman of a holding company, a chairman of a petroleum company, an under secretary of the Petroleum Ministry, a deputy chairman in the General Petroleum Corporation and a deputy or assistance chairman of a company. • Forming the Equal Opportunities Committee in the Ministry of Petroleum at December 2002. The responsibility of this committee is to determine, specify and analyze the problems that face the employers, especially those of discrimination against women. • There is a continuous coordination with the National Council of Woman to discuss the difficulties that face the working women and means to resolve them. • Paying attention to local and foreign training courses for women, to upgrade their performance and prepare new cadres capable of developing and creation • Providing social and health care for the employees and their families.