Academic chosen for Paris ‘gender equality’ summit

Qatari academic and dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Dr Amal al-Malki, has been chosen by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attend a high-level forum to held in Paris on ‘Gender equality’, between April 9 and 13.Informing this yesterday French ambassador Eric Chevalier said the programme aims at providing participants with “genuine knowledge on gender equality issues and policies in France as well as highlighting the activities of women and their contribution to gender equality in their respective countries”.“The invitation and new distinction now acknowledges Dr al-Malki’s unwavering long lasting commitment to women’s rights and professional equality. The establishment of the Master of Arts in Women, Society and Development at HBKU by Dr al-Malki is another concrete illustration of her engagement in favour of this crucial issue.”The envoy said the French ministry has invited from Middle East and North Africa 11 Arab women who have been active in campaigns for gender equality as “the issue (gender equality) is one of the nation’s key focuses as stressed by French President Emmanuel Macron during his speech before the UN General Assembly last September.”The ambassador recalled that President Macron had launched the 3rd International Strategy for Women and Men Equality 2018-2022 on March 8 to coincide with the International Day for Women. “It aims to co-ordinate actions designed to improve the situation of women around the world,” he said while adding the event is being organised under the framework of “Future Leader Invitation Programme”Chevalier added the strategy consisted of such domains of action as political issues of gender equality, better financing of campaigns for gender equality, improvement of their visibility and role of the civil society.Dr al-Malki said she was blessed and fortunate to have a strong leader like “Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser who has single-handedly changed society’s perceptions on women, especially those working, giving us legitimacy and respect.”She highlighted that Qatar leads with regards to women’s rights as part of its overall social justice and equality agenda. “Therefore as a Qatari academic, I feel it is my duty to participate in an important dialogue about women equality and empowerment, and engage with government as well as the local and global communities.”Dr al-Malki described herself as a moderate, who stands for a just world and she was fortunate to be part of the society in Qatar, where women contribute for an impressive 36.7% share to the national economy. “The Arab society is a rich and diverse group, spread over many regions and I will use the opportunity to highlight this,” she added.