The event was attended by female diplomats from the embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Portugal, Romania and Serbia and QU staff.
College of Health Sciences dean Dr Hanan Abdul Rahim, Department of Humanities chair Dr Mariam al-Hammadi, Social Sciences chair Dr Fatima al-Kubaisi, Academic Affairs Vice President's Office faculty affairs specialist Rula Momani, and students attended the event.
The participants learnt from each other about the specific traditions and customs dedicated to women in their respective countries, and concluded that women across societies share a strong universal bond through their multiple roles which includes their roles as mothers, wives, caretakers and professionals.
Romanian embassy chargé d'affaires Iulia Zamfirescu said, “I am very grateful to Qatar University, and in particular to the DIA for hosting this event. Diplomacy is about nurturing mutual knowledge, understanding and respect between our cultures.
"We leave this encounter more enriched and with a strong desire to continue such interaction in the future.”
QU College of Arts and Sciences public policy associate professor Dr Esmat Zaidan, said: “International Women's Day celebrates women across the globe. It is a day where people around the globe are dedicated to show recognition and appreciation towards women in their lives.”
“We are gathered to celebrate our significance, importance, accomplishments, and our hard work over the year to achieve our personal and professional goals. We all are representing more than 12 cultures and societies under one roof.
"We all believe that women deserve respect, recognition, appreciation, and most significantly equal opportunities. We simply want to live in a world where we don’t find it hard to exist,” she added.
Distinguished female diplomats from the Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Croatia, Portugal, Romania and Serbia represented their countries in the event.