A woman, as a mother, is the mainstay of any family, who sacrifice her whole life for the well-being of her children, husband, parents and other members in the family. She is the first teacher who introduces words, social customs, family values, religious values etc to her children, becoming the main source of information and nutrition as well for her children and in turn the future mankind.
But then, according to a United Nations report one in three women worldwide experience violence, very often by a close partner. Those who abuse women physically or mentally often ignore the fact that violence against women and girls is a human rights violation.
Qatar, as a progressive society, has realised the importance of women and children in society and granted them equal rights in every sector, whether it is in public offices, service sector, field of education, business, sports or culture.
During a speech at a session on the human rights of women at the Human Rights Council, Advisor to Qatar’s Permanent Delegation of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Johara Al Suwaidi, stressed that ending violence against women and girls requires identifying the causes and roots of this violent behaviour and working to address them, which starts with changing the prevailing stereotypical view of women and recognising their great role in the family and society, empowering them by providing early education opportunities, encouraging them to continue developing their abilities and skills, and then adopting policies and enacting legislation that protect them from the manifestations of violence, and provide means of recovery and integration in the event of violations or abuses against them.
Qatar has all the rights to be proud of the achievements of its women in society and politics. Women in Qatar are well-educated and are leaving their mark in every field. Education is not something new to
Qatari women as when the first university in Qatar was opened in 1973, out of the 157 initial students, 103 were female. The ratio of female-to-male students remained steady over the proceeding years and in 2003, Sheikha Abdulla Al Misnad became the first female president of Qatar University. In the political echelons also women play a major role as they were appointed ministers, diplomats or to other key positions.
Qatar can vouch for the protection of women and girls with disabilities as the country not only advocates for their rights, but has already become a leading example of putting this into practice.
