HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti emphasised the pivotal role of education in advancing the status of women in Qatar, noting that these efforts have enabled Qatari women to participate effectively in both local and global humanitarian issues.
This came during her speech at the opening session of the Fourth Eurasian Women's Forum, which began on Wednesday in St Petersburg in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, under the title 'Women for Strengthening Trust and Global Co-operation', and will continue for three days.
She highlighted the importance of the initiatives launched by Qatar under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the active contribution of Qatari women to peace efforts, especially the pioneering role played by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Education Above All Foundation and member of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocates Group, in providing education to children in conflict zones.
Dr al-Sulaiti also pointed to the tragic situation of Palestinian women in Gaza and other occupied territories, who are subjected to horrific human rights abuses by Israeli occupation forces. She stressed that the efforts of women in building and sustaining peace will not achieve their goals unless the international community takes decisive action to enact binding international laws that criminalise violence and hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable. She called for the rightful support of Palestinian women and the need to protect the Palestinian people, particularly women and children.
Dr al-Sulaiti also called for solidarity with Palestinian women and an end to the genocide in Gaza, affirming that the preservation of life is one of the most important human values. She warned of the dangers of attempts to alter the foundations of education in societies, which adversaries of nations use to steer future generations toward their own cultures and objectives.
She underscored the importance of enhancing efforts to empower women in peace processes, noting that women are among the most affected by the absence of peace and the spread of wars. In this regard, she pointed out that women's organisations are committed to involving women in the United Nations' efforts in security and peace. She also called on the audience to urge the UN to issue an international document that criminalises resorting to violence and obliges mediators to include women in all stages of peacebuilding.
In conclusion, Dr al-Sulaiti called for intensifying joint efforts to support peace and international co-operation, affirming that achieving and maintaining peace through effective international laws is a guarantee for human happiness, especially for women around the world.
The forum focuses on the role of women in promoting peace and global co-operation, preserving traditions and cultural diversity, developing technology and innovations, fostering a healthy society, and achieving social well-being.
Dr al-Sulaiti had also participated in a session within the forum on the humanitarian mission of women and the global experience and prospects for co-operation. The session focused on the role of women in international co-operation for achieving sustainable development and promoting human values, with a focus on preserving life, developing human capacities, protecting the health of women and children, and using social and political cooperation to promote shared values.
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In a contribution during the session, Dr. Al Sulaiti emphasized that education is one of the most important sources of shaping culture and human values, noting the pivotal role educational institutions play in guiding and developing the awareness of younger generations, particularly women, in the era of open space, which has expanded opportunities for online education.
She also highlighted the role of Qatari women, noting that they have succeeded in proving themselves as active partners in humanitarian causes by taking advantage of equal educational opportunities. This has enabled Qatari women to present shining examples in this field.
Dr. Al Sulaiti stressed the importance of instilling virtuous human values such as tolerance, coexistence, peaceful dialogue, and respect for others to ensure individuals align with the natural disposition recognized by divine laws. She affirmed that these values form the foundation of joint efforts among women worldwide through women's organizations and platforms that advocate for peace, justice, and the preservation of the environment from climate change.
