Experts highlight women's participation Qatar economic development

The role of women in Qatar’s society has taken great strides and has achieved many milestones, according to a panel of experts during a discussion organised on Monday by The Business Year (TBY), in partnership with The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA).The event, titled ‘Female Voices & the Qatari Economy’, was held to commemorate International Women’s Day in Qatar. The welcome note was given by QBWA vice chairwoman Aisha Hussain Alfardan, while the keynote speech was delivered by Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad al-Thani, deputy CEO of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).Alfardan lauded the achievements of women in Qatar and the efforts in furthering initiatives and objectives that would help support and promote women’s participation in economic development. Sheikha Alanoud said, “I am encouraged, though, that here in Qatar the future is bright. Our workforce is eager and growing. Qatari women outnumber men in higher education, and participation of women in STEM education fields in Qatar is nearly 50% higher than the global average. “Women in Qatar also outnumber men in creating new small businesses – the Qatar Business Incubation Centre, for example, has incubated more than 50 women-led companies since it was launched.”The discussion revolved around topics, such as education for women’s empowerment, digitalisation and the role of women in Qatar, sports as an engine for growth after the World Cup, and developments in Qatar’s healthcare sector. The experts include Machaille al-Naimi, president of Community Development, Qatar Foundation (QF); Fatma al-Nuaimi, Communications executive director at Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC); Dr Muna al-Maslamani, medical director, Communicable Diseases Centre of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC); and Lana Khalaf, country general manager, Microsoft. Nataly Almanza Madrid, country manager, The Business Year, was the moderator of the discussion."As an organization dedicated to unlocking human potential, Qatar Foundation has an important responsibility to empower and give opportunity to the entire community of Qatar, and a special responsibility to lead and exemplify the empowerment of all, including women. Our ecosystem, and our values, are characterized by openness, diversity, and inclusivity. At Qatar Foundation, we are committed to empowering women through education, providing greater opportunities in university enrolment, business and entrepreneurship, science and technology, research and innovation, and many other fields,"  al-Naimi said.According to al-Maslaman, in the past two decades, Qatar witnessed an increase in higher education, which led to more opportunities for women to get employed and participate in economic development here and across the region.She said this also helped advance women’s career paths, giving them the chance to occupy high leadership positions in different sectors in Qatar. Education has been a significant factor for women to be part of Qatar’s Shura Council, al-Maslaman emphasised.Al-Nuaimi said all preparations for the World Cup are “on track” and that all competition venues are ready. She said the SC is also focusing on delivering the best fan experience during the games.Khalaf said Microsoft is giving its best efforts to provide the “latest and greatest” technology to enable, whether the smart stadiums or the workforce involved in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, as well as the fan experience, which is critical in showing the country’s hospitality and its “amazing resiliency.”