Qatari Women
The State of Qatar has long endeavored to establish a model of Qatari Family characterized by amity, compassion and empathy. The State of Qatar firmly believes in the high status of the Qatari woman and her aptitude to assume the highest positions and to carry out duties assigned to her in a manner marked by vigor, effectiveness and responsibility. Perhaps, this is best illustrated by woman's issues and concerns topping the list of priorities mandated by the Emiri Decree on the establishment of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.
Roles of Women
Women in the Field of Education
The field of education was the doorway through which women entered into the labor market. The statistics of the Ministry of Education indicate that the number of Qatari female students in the State-owned schools has risen at greater rates compared to the number of male students. Qatari women also account for more than 50% of the total workforce of the Ministry of Education.
Women's presence in the University of Qatar, either as faculty members or administrative staff, account for more than 50% of the total workforce of the University. Women assumed high ranking public posts. H.E. Mrs. Sheikha Al-Mahmoud was appointed as Minister of Education on May 6, 2003, to be the first lady ever in Qatar and the GCC region to occupy such an important ministerial post. Her appointment comes as a reaffirmation by H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to activate the Qatari woman's role in the country's educational renaissance. Similarly, Dr. Sheikha Al-Misnad was appointed to the post of President of Qatar University; being the first Qatari woman to assume such post.