Qatar Committed to Implementing Conventions that Enshrine Women's Rights
New York/information office / 10 October 2017/ The State of Qatar has affirmed its commitment to the implementation of its obligations to international and regional conventions and charters that enshrine the human rights of women, especially the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
This came in a statement delivered by Ms. Sarah Mohammed Kamal Al Emadi, a member of the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly today, before the Third Committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations on the item on "Advancement of Women".
Al Emadi said that the issue of the advancement of women is a priority in the policy of the State of Qatar, based on the pivotal role of women in all walks of life. This is reflected in the Constitution, which provides for equality of rights and public duties, equality of all before the law without discrimination, "The State of Qatar is keen to integrate women's issues, particularly those related to enhancing their participation in economic and political decision-making, providing decent work and promoting social protection in all national strategies and plans, including Qatar National Vision 2030, and Family Strategy, she added.
She noted that the link between women's empowerment, gender equality and development is a reality that the international community has recognized and addressed through the fifth goal of sustainable development, and that achieving this goal, which is integrated with other sustainable development goals, requires collective efforts and constructive partnerships among all actors to ensure the implementation of all international obligations and treaties related to the achievement of the fifth objective, she said.
She emphasized that Qatari women have made great strides in their participation in various areas of life thanks to the strong political will of wise leadership of the State of Qatar to empower women and enhance their participation in the human development process, noting that Qatar is one of the first countries to encourage the education of girls in the Gulf region since 1938 with the first school for girls at the house of Mrs. Amna Al-Jaidah who was called today the "pyramid of education", and still the State puts education and especially the education of girls among the priorities of its policy and development assistance at home and abroad.
She said that the State of Qatar is one of the first countries in the Gulf region to grant women the right to vote and to stand for office. Qatari women are currently qualified to hold senior positions in the State as ministers, judges, ambassadors and university presidents, public prosecutors, police and security force .
Ms. Sarah Mohammed Kamal Al Emadi pointed out that the reports indicate that the percentage of female participation in the labour force during the previous years reached 35.1%, thanks to amendments to the Qatari Labour Law The provision of maternity leave and the granting of breastfeeding hours, and the policy of encouraging the sharing of family responsibilities between parents and mothers , adding that the state has spared no effort to motivate women and encourage them to enter the world of business and investment in the private sector.
She stressed that the efforts to eliminate violence against women are among the most important efforts that contribute to the achieving development and promoting peace and social security. In this regard, she said , the State of Qatar has established mechanisms for empowerment and protection such as the National Social Action Foundation, which includes the Center for Social Protection and Rehabilitation, to protect and reintegrate women victims of violence into society.
In its belief in the importance of international cooperation in the field of development, the State of Qatar was keen to support and participate in several international development initiatives, including initiatives to empower women and gender equality and to enhance their role in peacemaking and development and made every effort to support Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security and supported the global study on the implementation of the resolution, which reached important conclusions and recommendations that the international community can use to push for more efforts in this area.
Concluding , Ms. Sara Mohammed Al-Emadi expressed Qatar's appreciation for the efforts made in the preparation of the reports of the Secretary-General under this item, which included important conclusions and recommendations. The State of Qatar joins the statement of the Group of 77 and China. She reiterated Qatar's commitment to empowering women and to continue working with all stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and efforts at the regional and international levels to empower women and promote gender equality, to ensure sustainable development goals without leaving anyone behind.