Qatar reiterated yet again that gender equality and women empowerment are central to Qatar’s success and vision. Qatar is an outspoken advocate for women’s rights at home and abroad, a Government Communication Office statement said in response to Human Rights Watch.
The GCO said that the Human Rights Watch report inaccurately portrays Qatar’s laws, policies and practices related to women. The accounts mentioned in the report are not aligned with our Constitution, laws or policies and the government will investigate these cases and prosecute anyone who has violated relevant laws. Only people with some vested interest or those who are blind and deaf can criticise Qatar for its treatment of women in the country whether they are nationals or residents.
For decades Qatar has been at the forefront for promoting women’s role in society by giving them more opportunities in every field whether in education, sports, governance, business or administration. When the first university in Qatar was opened way back in 1973, out of the 157 initial students, 103 were female and the ratio of women-to-men students remained steady in the proceeding years.
In 2003 Sheikha Abdullah Al Misnad became the first woman president of Qatar University and remained in that position till 2015. More than half of the Ministry of Education staff are women. The growth rate in the number of female students have surpassed that of males in public schools by 2008. A large number girl students are pursuing their education at several private schools and universities in Qatar.
Through the Civil Service Act and Order No.13 passed by the Cabinet in 2001, Qatar created a legal framework protecting women’s rights in the workforce. Another law passed in 2002 allowed women retirement benefits. The number of Qatar’s women workforce is not only the highest in the GCC region, but also higher than the world average. In 2000, Qatar Women’s Sports Committee was established as an initiative by H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and the next year, Qatar Olympic Committee accredited the women’s committee.
The country appointed its first woman Cabinet Minister in 2003, when Sheikha Ahmed Al Mahmoud became the Minister of Education, in 2007 Sheikha Ghalia bint Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani became the Minister of Public Health and in 2016 Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari was named Minister of Public Health. There are several distinguished women who are appointed at higher diplomatic positions and Qatar’s Shura Council and the Central Municipal Council boast of a number woman members.
These details can serve as an eye-opener for those individuals or groups who promote themselves as women’s advocates and see or pretend to see half truth.
