AFG College Chairperson, Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani (fourth left), with other speakers and guests at the conference on the occasion of International Women's Day.
AFG College with the University of Aberdeen celebrated International Women’s Day 2020 by holding a conference with the theme ‘Each for Equal’.
This is the second year that the College has celebrated International Women’s Day, seeking to foster greater awareness of the important role that women play within society.
The conference is one of many thousands of events taking place globally, in support of the need for greater parity amongst the sexes, whether it be in the workplace or in society as a whole.
The event was opened by AFG College Chairperson, Dr. Sheikha Aisha bint Faleh Al Thani who welcomed the many distinguished guests who joined the speakers and audience members.
Dr Sheikha Aisha said, “It is always a privilege and joy for me to participate in events which celebrate and draw on the important role that women play in society. I have, for many years been a strong advocate for the advancement of women in all roles of the social structure and that, despite the progress that has been made, there is still massive deficits that we, as a society, need to address.”
This year’s speakers included Al Jazeera English senior news anchor, Nastasya Tay, who spoke about her own experiences of being a journalist and the obstacles she had experienced during her ten years as a roving reporter in hotspots around the world, including war zones and the challenges that female journalists face every day.
Nastasya said, “At a time when humanity is facing such enormous challenges, the only way we can move forward in confronting them is together —with empathy and compassion. The only way we find those is by changing the conversation, including everyone and especially women and recognising that strength can be in many different places.”
Khulood Al Khori, an AFG business management graduate, spoke about the struggles she experienced when she began at the national and international level in the equestrian endurance racing field. Khulood said, “Women not only make up for 50% of the population, but also 50% of the world’s potential. It is essential that we recognise their importance, their power and their achievements.”
Other guest speakers at the event included Sheikha Athba bint Thamer Al Thani, Chief Executive Director and Advisor to Chairman of QDVC, who spoke about the empowerment of women and the difficulties that she experienced when she began working in a non-traditional female working environment, for which she was duly recognised.
Microsoft Qatar country manager Lana Khalaf gave an inspirational speech regarding the challenges of attracting young women into the growing IT sector in the MENA region and how Microsoft are developing unique ways of engaging female talent from an early age.
In addition to the presentations there was an opportunity for students and members of the audience to take part in a question and answer session.
Since its inception in the early 1900’s, International Women’s Day has sought to build greater awareness of women’s roles within society.
