Qatar has the necessary legislation that bans any form of discrimination against women, a member of the Advisory Council stressed during the 29th session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians held on Saturday on the sidelines of the 140th IPU General Assembly, which will run in Doha until April 10.

In her opening speech, Reem bint Mohamed al-Mansouri, who was elected by acclamation on Saturday as president of the 29th session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, said His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani “is very keen” to uphold the interests of the region in promoting education and the rights of women. Similarly, al-Mansouri noted that HH the Amir “is working hard in order to promote the status of women”.

“Indeed, we are four women nominated in the Advisory Council… this is a strong indication of the wise leadership of Qatar; the political landscape in Qatar is very propitious in the promotion of the status of women and the promotion of our prosperity,” al-Mansouri stressed.

“While we are talking about the rights of women in Qatar, we should refer in this connection to the initiatives taken by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who has relentlessly worked to promote the status of Qatari women. Indeed, Qatari women have their rightful place in society,” she continued.

According to al-Mansouri, Qatari women were able to make “a great leap forward”. Since the 1990s, she said Qatari women have been able to participate in all activities in society and have set up businesses and associations involving women in the business sector.

“Further, the appropriate environment has been made possible for women to enter the business world and economic activities. Indeed, Qatari women are competing on a level-playing field with men, and Qatari women have been working hard to hone their management and knowledge skills,” al-Mansouri explained.

“At the same time, Qatari women are undertaking their role as equal partners in society. They have access to education, healthcare and the job market. The international report on gender gaps between men and women issued by the Davos meeting has shown that Qatari women have a good standing when it comes to the participation in the economic activities of the country.

“Our law enshrines equality between men and women. Women have the same chances of being promoted in the job market like men. Women have the same opportunities to get promotions and to get the job they deserve. Qatar has acceded to many international and regional agreement and conventions; we have acceded to the UN convention against all forms of discrimination against women.”

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