Dr Khalid Klefeekh Al Hajri (centre), Board Member, Qatar Chamber, presenting an award to Aisha Alfardan, Vice-Chairwoman, Qatar Businesswomen Association, after her keynote speech at the opening of the Doha Women’s Forum, held at the Westin Hotel in Doha
With government-led initiatives and policies promoting gender equality and women’s active participation in economy, there has been a fourfold-increase in the participation of Qatari women in the private sector since the blockade was imposed on Qatar, a Qatar Chamber (QC) official said yesterday.
To date, Qatari women make up about 37 percent of the female labour force aged between 25 and 29 years, and nearly 49 percent for the 30-34 age group in Qatar. About 30 percent of the decision-making positions in the country, which include leadership posts in the business sector, are women, QC Board Member Dr Khalid Klefeekh Al Hajri said while delivering the welcoming address at the third edition of the Doha Women Forum which was held at the Westin Doha Hotel & Spa.
He added: “Beyond any doubt, this year’s theme ‘Balance for Better’ portrays a strong message to the world that it is time to take active action towards creating a more gender-balanced community. Qatari women have become a key partner in economic development, with Qatar ranking first in the index of equal business opportunities between the sexes in the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Also, Qatari women manage investments amounting to billions of dollars, most of them belonging to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector”.
Qatar Businesswomen Association Vice-Chairwoman Aisha Alfardan, who was keynote speaker during the event, highlighted that women are a strategic partner in accomplishing the Qatar National Vision 2030. Addressing gender inequality which still exists across the globe, Alfardan invited the participants to be part of the solution in providing women with equal access to opportunities as well as equal footing with men.
Speaking about the enormous challenges to gender diversity worldwide, Argentina’s Ambassador to Qatar Carlos Hernandez, said that over 2.7 billion women globally are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men. Of the 189 economies assessed in 2018, 104 economies still have laws preventing women from working in specific jobs, 59 economies have no laws on sexual harassment in the workplace, and in 18 economies, husbands can legally prevent their wives from working.
“Fifty percent of all the women of the world have no income of their own. If economies implement gender diversity, about $28 trillion could be added to global GDP by 2025,” he added.
Canada’s Ambassador to Qatar Stefanie McCollum, speaking on ‘Women in Politics’, stressed there should be female leadership in every government level. The forum also featured other women leaders and speakers including Qatar Financial Centre Legislation and Compliance Manager Dr. Francesca Re, Qatar Women’s Sports Committee President Lolwa Hussain Almarri, Nielsen Sports MENAP Associate Director Maria Talakina, Microsoft Country Manager Lana Khalaf, Wa’hab Founder and Managing Director Wardah Mamukoya, and Mina Cup Foundation Founder Zaakira Mahomed.
A panel discussion on how to achieve gender balance was also conducted during the event, which was presided by QFC Labour Affairs and Monitoring Senior Specialist Maha Kamal Tawfik, North Oil Company Head of Financial Control Dr. Haya AlNaimi and TASMU Digital Lead Omar Shaath.
The forum which was attended by around 200 women in Qatar, also included a Women Empowering Women session by the Qatar Professional Women’s Network (QPWN), and a fashion show by Hair Couture Salon and La Boutique Blanche.
Doha Women Forum and Future 318 Founder Conchita Ponce said, “Gender inequality is, unfortunately, a reality and I am sure all of you sitting here today is aware of its existence, or else you probably wouldn’t be here. You are here today, because, just like me, you want to see a difference made, you want women and men to be treated without prejudice and with equal respect. Through the forum, we are creating awareness on the importance of diversity and balance in the world. This is my legacy, my purpose in this world and if we can succeed in bringing a positive change in at least a few of your lives, I will consider that my greatest achievement.”
The event was organised by Future 318 (Faisal Al Suwaidi For Events), in partnership with Qatar Businesswomen Association and She’s Mercedes as Strategic Partner. This year’s event was also supported by Qatar Chamber- ICC Qatar, North Oil Company, Qatar Financial Center, Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, Qatar Airways with the support of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic.
