Observing the International Women's Day, the European Union (EU) delegation to Qatar on Wednesday hosted a panel discussion on 'Women Champions: Creating a Path to the Top'.
The event featured an opening speech by EU ambassador Cristian Tudor, followed by a roundtable conversation with distinguished speakers from the world of sports.
The panelists included renowned Qatari athlete Mariam Farid, Belgian female football internationals Inara Bouker and Luna Vanzeir, pioneer Palestinian female rally driver Nada Zeidan, and Jamillah van der Hulst, the director of the award-winning short film 'Women with a Mission - Sharita'.
The sessions marked inspiring journeys by the remarkable women, who shared the stories of their triumphs and struggles in reaching the pinnacle of their respective fields.
The discussion started with the short film, which showcased the journey of Sharita van der Hulst, a boxing coach who leads a groundbreaking programme to train male inmates at Drakenstein Correctional Center in South Africa. The film won the coveted Peace and Documentary Prize at the Sportel Awards 2018.
Ambassador Tudor said that gender equality and women's empowerment are key priorities for the EU. "We believe that sports can be a powerful tool in achieving these goals - connecting people, inspiring positive change, and breaking down barriers.
“We are proud to bring together these remarkable women to share their stories and inspire all young athletes to reach for the top," he added.
Mariam Farid noted that every hurdle she crossed should sound like a reminder that nothing is impossible for Arab women.
EU ambassador Cristian Tudor addressing the gathering.
