17/12/2018
Qatar Chamber’s Board Member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani received the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Gabriela Cuevas Barron in the presence of a number of leading Qatari women working in public and private sectors.
The meeting reviewed role of women in the society and ways of helping them to reach leading positions in all fields in politics, economy, science and development.
Gabriela Cuevas Barron said that she managed to obtain this leading position due to perseverance and diligence although her country is not a major world country. She noted that she faced many challenges and obstacles before she came to this post.
She praised the experiment of Qatari woman as well as Qatari legislations that provided her all rights and paved the ways to innovation and leading posts in all fields.
Intihaj al-Ahmadani said that Qatari women have excelled in all fields, and in the last two decades, noting that Qatari women have attained leading roles in the transformation of the country’s economic, political, social, educational, and sports sectors.
This is through the support and trust of the country His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the Emir of Qatar, following the footsteps of His Highness sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani the father Emir and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s advocate roles, she added.
Al-Ahmadani said that Qatari women have throughout history performed a vital role in society, affirming that they had to carry all responsibilities during the male population’s absence in the pearl diving seasons.
“Today, together with their fellow men, they have realized Qatar National Vision 2030’s goal of building a future that relies on all of its society’s capabilities.” she said, assuring that Qatar National Vision 2030 stresses the significance of enhancing women’s role in society, specifically through participation in the economic and political fields.
Some data from the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics in 2017 state that the percentage of women in the workplace reached about 37% in 25-29 years age group. That percentage increases to 49% in the 30-34 age groups.
Al-Ahmadani said that official statistics indicated that the representation of Qatari women in decision-making positions is currently 30%.
Today women lead as ministers, members of the Advisory Shoura council, a board member of Qatar Chamber, the Central Municipal Council, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha Film Institute, entrepreneurial sports initiatives, and family businesses, she added.
She also noted that in the business community, Qatari women have invested in all sectors economy, affirming that the amount of investments of Qatari businesswomen is reaching 25 billion Qatari Riyals in the local market.
She stressed Qatar Chamber’s role is support for productive families by promoting their products and setting platforms for them to participate in the local and international markets.
“I believe Qatari women have achieved a balance, between their outgoing progressive roles and the principles of their Arab and Islamic identity. Furthermore, you will see today that each one of the women here is also successful at their roles as a mother, sister, wife, and daughter,” she added.
