Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani (centre), Chairman of Al Faisal Holding, posing with Qatari businesswomen, including Lulwa Rashid Al Khater, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Aisha AlFardan, Vice-Chairwoman of Qatari Businesswomen’s Asso
Sixteen Qatari women who have made a mark in their respective fields have been awarded for their significant achievements at the first-ever TAKREEM Awards which was organised by the Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) on Sunday. Qatari Businessmen Association Chairman Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani and QBWA Vice Chairwoman Aisha Hussein Alfardan conferred the awards during the event which aims to recognise the contributions of Qatari women to the country’s economy through their significant achievements in various fields.
Dr Hessa Al Jaber, Qatar’s first-ever Minister of Information and Communications Technology and currently the United Nations ITU Broadband Commissioner for Digital Development and Deputy Board Chairperson of Qatar Satellite Company (Es’hailSat), was awarded with the ‘Inspirational Woman Award’.
Lulwa Rashid Al Khater, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the ‘International Relations Award’; while Sheikha Al Jufeiri, who in 2003 made history for being the first woman in the GCC to win a municipal election, was awarded the ‘Community Engagement Award’. Fatima Al Kuwari, who has also won in the recent municipal elections also received the ‘Community Engagement Award’.
Hessa Al Abdulla, who has served for 33 years in the education sector and currently works as consultant for technical education and vocational training in the Office of the Undersecretary of the Minister of Education and Higher Education, received the ‘Education Award’.
Other awardees were Rima Al-Muraikhi who was recognised for her humanitarian work, Aisha Al-Tamimi for her achievements in the field of hospitality, Najla Al-Shafie for her distinguished achievements as a female influencer, Dr Ghada Darwish for her outstanding work in the legal field, Samah Al Sada for her achievements in the field of engineering, Buthaina Al Muftah for her achievements in the field of arts, Fatima Al Khater for her works in the field of entrepreneurship, Kummam Al-Maadeed for her achievements in creative work, Yasmin Mansour who received the ‘Young Talent Award’ for her exceptional skills in fashion design, Rania Al Naji for her achievements as a rising star in the field of sports, and Prof Dr Asma Al Thani for her initiatives and achievements in the field of medicine.
Talking to The Peninsula, Alfardan said there are more Qatari families now who are very supportive to the careers of women in their families. She added that family support is a significant factor for women to reach their full potential.
“A lot of the ladies who won the awards today come from big families who earlier refused to let their daughters appear in front of the camera. Now we can see that they can now come forward very comfortably with the support of their families. Because Qatari families are more educated now to let their daughters go and work with men in the workplace. The support of the husbands, fathers, and family is very important.
“Most of the women in the workplace become successful and are able to work very hard in their fields because of the support of their families. We have to work together with the men to make the country great,” Alfardan also said.
Qatari novelist Maadeed added “It took me 10 years before my first book came out. My advice to younger women is to continue working on themselves and not to quit when things don’t work out”.
Mansour also said: “I’m the CEO and Founder, as well as the designer for the company and I named the brand after my name because it is my childhood dream come true. Being appreciated by leaders of the community is truly encouraging”.
