QATAR

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.

Qatari Women in the Diplomatic Field

Qatari women are not excluded from diplomatic work. Sheikha Alia Ahmad Al-Thani was appointed as the first female ambassador and assumed the post of the permanent delegate of the State of Qatar in the Europe-based United Nations headquarters in Geneva. She had previously served as an advisor to the permanent delegate of the State of Qatar in the United Nations in New York.

Women in Finance and Investment

Qatar Ladies Investment Company, the first of its kind in the whole region, was established in 1998. It is equally shared by a group of Qatari ladies and Qatar National Bank. The Company is managed by a Qatari lady, Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser Al-Thani. In November 2000, the Businesswomen Forum, was launched based on the approval of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which considered the Forum as one of the Chamber's committees. By doing so, the Chamber aimed to provide a stimulating social climate for women to play their role in the development process, actively contribute to the establishment small trades and industrial enterprises and promote the role of Qatari woman in economic decision making.