HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad al-Thani, the Chairperson of Qatar Museums, Doha Film Institute and Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), highlighted the progress made by Qatar in enhancing women's role and empowerment through education and job creation.
She called on the international community to work towards the best policies for the empowerment of women taking into account the cultural specificities of societies.
This came in a statement delivered by HE Sheikha Mayassa at the high-level panel discussion entitled 'Women in Power' held on the sidelines of 63rd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, at the invitation of the President of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa mentioned His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, and stated that she grew up in a family that respects women and gives females and males the same opportunities in education and acquiring the same skills.
She also reviewed the challenges faced by Gulf societies in the area of gender equality and the empowerment of women to play a leading role in society alongside men, saying this may differ from one country to another.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa said that Qatar has made great strides in the field of gender equality and empowerment of women.
In this context, she expressed her happiness at the leadership role played by her mother Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, noting it is a very different thing in Qatar. "I am proud to say that education is in the interest of women and their empowerment, and it is a matter of great joy."
She said that Qatar is of the view that gender equality is very important, referring to Qatar Foundation, which was established by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser.
The Foundation has opened several branch campuses, including the Texas A&M University, which provides certificates in the field of engineering and science, where female graduates outnumber male counterparts.
HE Sheikha Al Mayassa pointed to the importance of women's choice and the right to either join the labour force or choose maternity, and stressed the importance of balancing equality through good and constructive policies.
She stressed the importance of women's leadership role in political, social and economic decision-making, adding that women's high position will lead them to participate in policy-making and decision-making regarding the future of sustainable development because they will bring up the children of the future.
Concluding, she called on the international community to work together to deliver the best policies for women's empowerment.
"The issue for me is about choice and choosing the leadership role that suits women and how they contribute to society and the economy," she said, stressing that bridging the gap in traditional societies can only be achieved through gender equality in education and the empowerment of women.
The event was attended by a number of prominent women personalities, including former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, and Countess of Wessex Princess Sophie.
It was also attended by HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousef bin Mohammed al-Othman Fakhro, and HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani.
