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Malek Helali
Doha
THROUGH contributions to family and academic research, institutions like Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) pave the way for the realisation of the nation's vision of building a modern society of just and equal access to opportunities, according to Dr Amal al Malki, Founding Dean of HBKU's College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
"Today, women in the Middle East enjoy equal opportunities with men in both education and employment. As a result, women now earn achievements and assume leadership roles and positions," she added.
This came during an open seminar entitled 'Political Participation and Arab Women as a Factor for Change' organised by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at HBKU and the DIFI in Doha on Sunday where both institutions reflected their common commitment to Qatar's National Vision 2030.
"The road ahead is fraught with challenges and maneuvering its cultural and legal obstacles is paramount to unleash women's potentials and ambitions. It is true that the number of women in leadership positions is limited, but they represent a vital driver of social justice in related gender issues," Malki added.
"The role of women in the Gulf in the field of politics has become a very important research area. It is interesting to examine the impact of the current Gulf crisis and the unjust and unfair blockade on Qatar for politicizing women in the Gulf in new ways. Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alia bint Saif al Thani, and Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lulwah al Khater along with Qatari women artists such as Lina Alali, Jamila al Shuraim, Mona Bujsoum, Maryam al Mulla and many others represent the perfect example of the blockade strengthening women in Qatar," said Malki.
According to Noor al Jehani, Executive Director of DIFI, an area that saw a remarkable advancement of women's rights in the region is the political scene which saw women gaining the right to vote and participate in parliamentary elections, receive ministerial posts, run for municipal elections (1998) and even become members of the Shura Council as of November 4, 2017.
"However, the representation of women in decision-making circles at all levels in the Arab region is still lacking. Data shows that the average regional proportion of female parliamentarians is 19 percent, well below the global average," Jehani added.
