Climate change, sports and gender equality was the focus area for the first part of the fifth edition of the Doha Women Forum held recently.
French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Faivre, the keynote speaker, elaborated on the role of diplomacy in gender equality and how women can be the catalyst of change.
“Ensuring progress of equality between men and women is one of the top priorities of the French diplomacy. Today, women are a catalyst of change in all areas. This is the reason why we believe that the question of equality between men and women has to be integrated into different policies: sustainable development, peace and security, defence, promotion of fundamental rights, climate change and economy, and also sport,” said ambassador Faivre.
Deloitte Middle East officials Dina Fakih (head of risk advisory Qatar) discussed the role of corporates in gender equality and Damian Regan (sustainability reporting & assurance leader) spoke about the various initiatives taken in the region to combat climate change.
An interactive panel discussion on ‘Women as Catalysts of Change in the Climate Crisis’ featured Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future's project manager Nihal Mohamed al-Saleh, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy's sustainability executive director engineer Bodour al-Meer, Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar (AYCMQ) outreach manager Khadeja Ahmad Albuhaliqa and BSG's global sustainability expert Khadeeja Balkhi. AYCMQ founder and executive director Neeshad Shafi was the moderator.
A roundtable discussion on the topic ‘Changing the game - increasing women's participation in sport’ featured Jawaher al-Khuzaie (director, marketing & communications, Gulf Warehousing Company), Heba al-Masri (programmes manager, Digital Incubation Center, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology), and HBKU student Asma Lamali.
Another highlight of the day was a one-to-one interview with Qatar track and field star and the first Qatari female athlete to compete in the World Athletics Championships, Mariam Farid. Gold partner Naseem Healthcare's general manager (strategy) Dr Munir Ali Ibrahim said: “We are honoured to be associated with the Doha Women Forum once again as the functions of the Forum aligns with our principles of diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.”
The second part of the Forum will be held today (October 8) at the Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha.
Related Story