AMMAN: Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council HE Dr Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti has affirmed Qatar's great interest in enhancing the status of women as one of the main pillars for achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.
This came in her speech at the opening session of the 'Investing in Women’s Participation in Political Life' forum, hosted by the Jordanian capital, Amman, and organised by the Ministerial Committee for Women’s Empowerment in the Kingdom of Jordan, in cooperation with the Coalition of Women Parliamentarians from Arab Countries to Combat Violence against Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, and the National Democratic Institute.
DrAl Sulaiti said that Qatar, in light of the lofty directives of its wise leadership, has adopted clear policies to enhance the status of women in all fields, as the state has provided equal opportunities for women in the fields of education and work, which has enabled them to participate effectively in various sectors of work, in addition to exercising their right to political participation.
She highlighted the special attention that the state pays to strengthening and protecting the family as the nation’s wealth and providing all appropriate conditions for women’s participation in public work.
She stated that the state's approach has resulted in Qatari women holding senior executive and administrative positions. They now constitute more than 37 percent of the workforce in all fields, especially in vital sectors such as education, health and social work, in addition to the fact that Qatari women represent more than 20 percent of entrepreneurs in Qatar.
She stated that Qatar's efforts to achieve social and societal justice and empower women are not limited to the local level only, but extend to include supporting women's education in many sisterly and friendly countries, especially in areas of war and conflict.
Dr Al Sulaiti, a member of the Coalition of Women Parliamentarians from Arab Countries to Combat Violence against Women, praised the steadfastness of Palestinian women and their struggle against the Israeli occupation, and their standing up against all forms of injustice, oppression and crimes committed by the occupation forces in the Gaza Strip and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories before the eyes and ears of the world, and in light of the decline in the prestige of the law and the inability of the international community and United Nations institutions concerned with maintaining international security and peace.
She called for providing security for Palestinian women and guaranteeing their basic rights, like other women in the world.
She also called for continuing to support the steadfastness of Palestinian women by all available means, including launching qualitative initiatives, providing urgent aid, and highlighting their just cause in all forums, including local, regional, and international platforms.
Speaking about the forum’s topic, she pointed to the increasing global interest in women’s rights issues and their empowerment to participate effectively in all political, economic and social fields over the past decades. She noted the increasing efforts of governments, and international and human rights organisations in this field, in addition to shedding light on the important role and responsibilities of women in building and developing any society.
She stressed the importance of the forum and the fundamental issues it raises that affect Arab women in general, especially those related to investing their energies and capabilities and combating violence against them in public life, in addition to the role of the media in enhancing their societal participation, hoping that the forum will achieve its goals and come out with recommendations and visions that enhance women’s empowerment to practice political work.
The forum discusses, through its discussion panels and sessions, the challenges of women’s participation in public life, the importance of investing in women’s energies, women’s electoral experience, and the role of the media in enhancing women’s participation in public life.
The forum will also witness the launch of the second edition of the Guide to Combating Violence against Women in Public Life.
On the sidelines of the forum, Dr Al Sulaiti met with HE Wafa Bani Mustafa, Minister of Social Development, Head of the Ministerial Committee for Women's Empowerment inJordan.
During the meeting, several topics on the forum's agenda were discussed, and views were exchanged on various issues and topics of common interest. The discussion also touched on the role of the Coalition of Women Parliamentarians from Arab Countries to Combat Violence Against Women, in order to advance the status of Arab women, and to identify mechanisms for supporting them, enhancing their role, and enhancing their participation in development.
She also met with Navart Taminian, Deputy Resident Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the National Democratic Institute, and discussed with her the most prominent topics of the forum, and ways to support and enhance the role of women in decision-making at the national and international levels.
