Doha: The Ministry of Labour announced the launch of the “Women’s Work Group” initiative, with the participation of many State actors from ministries, the private sector, and academic institutions, to serve as a joint cooperation platform for exchanging experiences, information, best practices and research to enhance women's potential at all levels and their presence in the labour market.
This came during a ceremony organized yesterday by the Ministry of Labor in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.
Announcing the initiative, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidli underlined that the strategy of the Ministry focuses on encouraging Qatari citizens of both genders to work in the private sectors and prompting national competencies to fill supervisory and leadership positions.
Al Obaidli stressed the Ministry’s keenness on encouraging Qatari women to work in the private sector in order to benefit from their high educational qualifications and restore balance to the labor market, noting that Qatari women have assumed high positions in the country, and their presence has increased in the supervisory ranks of the ministries, which indicates their successes in development and work.
He underlined that the strong presence of Qatari women came as a result of the support of the wise leadership, which deeply believes in the capabilities of women in all fields. For her part, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council H E Dr. Hamda Al Sulaiti underlined the State of Qatar’s keenness on women’s empowerment in various fields, referring to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s interest in empowering women at the level of the three legislative, judicial and executive authorities.
She noted the presence of Qatari women in the legislative authority as member of the Shura Council, and their presence in various positions at various levels as ministers, officials, ambassadors, administrators in the executive authority, and judges.
Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah underlined that the International Women’s Day represents an important occasion to support the efforts of women in all domains, noting that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”.
The NHRC Chairperson pointed to the vital and effective role of women in the social and economic aspects, adding that women represent half of the society, and without their work, the society will not use half of its human capabilities, which will be reflected in achieving the desired development and prosperity.
For his part, CEO of Qatar Financial Centre Yousuf Mohamed Al Jaida said that QFC believes in the importance of women in developing the private sector and building a balanced society by promoting gender equality, noting that 37% of the QFCs employees are female, and that women occupy many leadership positions in it. In addition, about 2,000 women participate in the management of the companies under QFC umbrella.
Head of the ILO Project Office Max Tunon affirmed that the State of Qatar has taken pioneering steps at the level of women’s empowerment in many sectors, pointing to the State’s tangible interest in women’s education, which directly contributed to the empowerment of Qatari women and their entry into the labour market and assuming senior positions.
