6th Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians kicks off in Doha

The 6th Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians, organised by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Doha-based UN Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism in cooperation with the Shura Council, kicked off on Wednesday in Doha.The opening session was attended by HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah al-Ghanim and representatives of national parliaments, parliamentary unions, and relevant regional and international organisations participating in the conference.The two-day conference aims to enhance the participation of women parliamentarians in formulating and implementing policies and legislation, exchanging experiences and good practices between women parliamentarians from different countries, and promoting awareness and education about the importance of women's role in combating terrorism.The conference also seeks to develop comprehensive and sustainable strategies to combat terrorism, encourage research and studies related to the role of women in this field, and provide recommendations for developing national and international legislation and policies to ensure the effectiveness of the efforts made.In her speech during the opening session, HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Dr Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti stressed the vital role that women parliamentarians play in developing, implementing, and monitoring legislation, policies, and strategies to combat terrorism and violent extremism.She pointed out that Qatar hosted the UN Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism to unify and coordinate the efforts of parliaments in combating and preventing terrorism and violent extremism.Her Excellency also praised the great efforts made by the UN Programme Office on Parliamentary Engagement in Preventing and Countering Terrorism and the distinguished relations of cooperation and coordination between the office and the Shura Council.She said that the office provided a platform for coordination between the efforts of parliaments regarding the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, and other resolutions related to combating terrorism, in addition to providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to parliamentarians in their efforts to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism.She noted Qatar's adoption of preventive diplomacy to prevent wars and conflicts, and its mediation and good offices to achieve a peaceful solution to various regional conflicts.HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council praised the success of that strategy, which was embodied in Qatar's effective and notable efforts aimed at stopping the aggression against Gaza.Her Excellency added that in recognition of the strategic role of preventive diplomacy, Qatar had previously proposed holding an international conference on preventive diplomacy, confirming its readiness to host it, because of that mechanism's important role, as the international community faces challenges that do not recognize dialogue as a binding means of resolving differences, which represents a genuine threat to global peace and security, placing the United Nations before a difficult test of its success in achieving international peace and security.Speaking about the conference's theme, she praised the role of women parliamentarians in providing global peace and security "thanks to their effective participation and enthusiasm."HE Hamda bint Hassan al-Sulaiti stressed the need to develop frameworks and strategies to implement the recommendations of women parliamentarians conferences, calling for the reform of the UN , especially the UN Security Council, to achieve justice and prevent wars and conflicts.She warned that the absence of the role of international organizations entrusted with maintaining international peace and security pushes young people to join the incubators of terrorism of extremist groups and embrace ideas and doctrines that pursue violence to repel injustice.HE Hamda al-Sulaiti called on the attendees to discuss ways to stop human rights violations and massacres committed by the occupying entity in Gaza so that young people do not lose their confidence in international systems and laws that are concerned with achieving international peace and security.She indicated that terrorism is considered the scourge of every era, and is a companion of injustice and the absence of security and justice. She pointed out that humanity has continued to suffer greatly from the waves of extremism that recur with the availability of appropriate conditions and the incubating environment for this terrorism, from poverty, ignorance, conflicts, civil wars, persecution of minorities, ethnic and sectarian strife, and contempt of religions.In this regard, she pointed out that the Israeli entity has been violating the rights of the Palestinian people for seven decades, which has led the region to instability and increased disagreement and discord.HE al-Sulaiti stressed the importance of the preventive role played by women parliamentarians in raising young people and working with female victims who have engaged in terrorist acts.She also emphasised the Shura Council's appreciation for parliamentary attention to regional and international issues and threats posed by terrorism, and its awareness of the extent of the damage and destructive effects caused by terrorism and violent extremism, especially on women and children.Regarding the role of parliamentarians, Her Excellency stressed that parliamentarians possess the necessary tools for prevention and control, which enables them to prevent the occurrence of terrorism and address its effects.HE Hamda al-Sulaiti pointed to the ability of parliaments to enact procedural and preventive legislation and monitor their implementation, in addition to influencing the allocation of resources to confront terrorism.HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council urged women parliamentarians to use the media to clarify the danger of terrorism, hate speech, and extremism, encourage societal harmony, and work to curb social media that spreads hate speech and sows strife. She also stressed the importance of enhancing public participation and integrating civil society organizations into counter-terrorism efforts.Her Excellency urged the attendees to come up with a recommendation demanding an end to the aggression and human rights violations, especially against women, girls, and children in the Gaza Strip, and a ceasefire in the occupied Palestinian territories. She also stressed the need for international organizations to have an effective and influential role in achieving this goal.The conference addresses efforts to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism from various aspects, by addressing the main issues related to definitions of combating terrorism, the conditions conducive to its spread, the motives of violent extremism, and the roles of women and men in extremist groups.Participants will discuss the role of parliamentarians in combating terrorism and violent extremism, focusing on the necessary legislation, policies, and strategies and ensuring their alignment with national and international legal frameworks.The sessions also focus on women's full and equal participation in combating terrorism and preventing violent extremism, reviewing the challenges and how to overcome them, and discussing increasing women parliamentarians' representation in parliamentary security and defence committees.