Doha: Women in Qatar have made significant progress and advance in science and their future in the field is promising. There are a number of women working in prominent positions in the health and research sector, who have lauded the country’s commitment to promoting women and girls in science.
They said that Qatar is providing women with equal opportunities in education and employment in all sectors, enabling them to pursue their dreams. Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11), The Peninsula spoke to female researchers at Sidra Medicine.
“In Qatar, women have made a significant progress in the field of science and technology. The country has created great initiatives to support women in their careers. Women are now occupying leading positions in various sectors, and I expect a brighter future for women in science,” said Dr. Souhaila Al Khodor, Director of Mother and Child Health Research at Sidra Medicine.
"Having more women in science will increase diversity, expertise, creativity and innovation. In addition, studies have shown that teams with greater gender equality perform better,” she added.
On February 20, Sidra Medicine will be bringing together female scientists and students to share their experiences and also to empower and encourage young women to advance and consider careers in science.
“The number of women in Science in Qatar is increasing in the last few years, showing the growing interest of young women in this field. Here at Sidra Medicine, I am proud to see that we are supervising more female students and training new female staff in our department, which is a positive sign for a hospital dedicated to Women and Children,” said Dr. Annalisa Terranegra, Investigator in Precision Nutrition - Mother and Child Health Research.
In her message to young girls who are considering a future in science, Dr. Terranegra said, “Science, is an amazing field, where you can express your creativity and curiosity! It requires passion and sometimes a strong determination to face issues. But it’s definitely worth it for a woman to consider this as a career.”
Sara Al Marzooq, a Research Specialist in Precision Medicine (Diabetes), said Qatar has implemented a number of initiatives to support women in science, such as the Qatar National Research Fund, which provides grants to support research projects led by women.
Additionally, Qatar Foundation has been a strong avenue for women to access world-class education in science through scholarships and fellowships.
“I can proudly say that the present and future role of women in science in Qatar is an exciting and promising one. In the future, Qatar is likely to continue to promote gender equality and empower women in science. The government has already taken steps to ensure that women have access to the same educational opportunities as men,” she added.
Sara is in the belief that more women in science will have a positive and lasting impact on the field. According to her, women bring a unique perspective to the table, and their presence can help to create a more diverse and inclusive environment. “This can lead to more innovative ideas and solutions, as well as a greater understanding of the complexities of the scientific field,” she said.
Sara’s colleague Fatima Al Ali, a Research Specialist in Reproductive Biology said that over the past few years, working as a woman in science has been a very rewarding experience.
“I believe women are becoming more confident in pursuing academic and career paths in science. It’s very important because it plays a role in shaping our future for the better,” she added.
“We should never forget the contribution of women in our community especially in science, and we can’t progress, if we don’t empower more women in different roles. Together we can challenge processes that are limiting, have our voices heard and continue being role models for the younger generation to enhance their awareness about being inclusive and equal. Women and girls play a major role in science and their participation should be supported and strengthened,” said Fatima.
