Video grab of Dr Dena Ahmed S. Al Thani, Assistant Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs at the College of Science and Engineering at HBKU
Doha: A number of Qatari women working on prominent positions in health and education sectors have lauded the role of the country’s leadership in promoting women and girls in science.
They said that the State of Qatar is providing them with equal opportunities in education and employment in all sectors to pursue their dreams.
On the eve of International Day of Women and Girls in Science which was marked yesterday across the globe, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared video messages of prominent Qatari women.
Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Medical Director of Rumailah Hospital, at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) said that Qatar has a pioneering role in all fields and part of Qatar’s development is its investing in people.
“The educational opportunities have been offered to Qatari girls at all levels including university and post graduate studies. I got a free scholarship in post graduate studies and in employment the equality,” she said.
Dr. Hanadi added: “And the proof is that I am a Qatari medical director woman. So the opportunities are available and whoever works hard, the State will give them the opportunity.”
Dr. Hanadi recently won His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Prize for Research in Health Care for the Elderly and in Health Promotion Award.
Talking on her achievement, she said: “I am so proud of this achievement. The award is an international award by the World Health Organization (WHO). The person must have accomplished (something) for his/her country; either he/she launched a policy, helped implement a national strategy added to the health system, social awareness, enhancement of public health, innovated projects, education of the elderly and their families, and projects for preparation and education of care providers.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director of Communicable Disease Center at Hamad Medical Corporation said that Qatar encourages working girls and women whether they are in the health or non-health sectors. “I emphasise on community empowerment thanks to the national, wise leadership. The leadership has encouraged and still encourages many women to hold positions.”
Dr. Dena Ahmed S. Al Thani, Assistant Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs at the College of Science and Engineering at HBKU said: “The State of Qatar always gave chance to its people to pursue their dreams, unlock their potential. I am proudly a graduate of Qatar University, major in computer science. I believe that the support we received from our beloved State has always been the backbone for what we have been achieving throughout the years.”
Dr. Lulwa Al Maslamani, Manager at Al Rayyan Health Center of PHCC said that Qatari women have contributed to the health field since the late 1960s through their involvement in the nursing profession, and through their education at the School of Nursing, which aims to prepare a national personnel.
“Qatari girls have obtained the chance to study medicine, and to hold leadership positions in the health sector, especially in the governmental sector at the State of Qatar, whether it is in the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation or the Primary Health Care Corporation.”
She added: “We value the pioneering role that Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser plays in the field of advancing human values, Her Highness had paid a great attention to all the aspects that aimed to highlight the role of Qatari women and to motivate them to carry out their social burdens and participating in their social life.”
On December 22, 2015, the General Assembly had decided to establish an annual International Day to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on February 11, is implemented by Unesco and UN-Women, in collaboration institutions and civil society partners that aim to promote women and girls in science. The Day is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Gender equality is a global priority for Unesco, and the support of young girls, their education and their full ability to make their ideas heard are levers for development and peace.
