Doha: International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, is a significant occasion celebrating women’s contributions worldwide. It serves as a reminder of their dedication and influence across all aspects of life. For Qatari women, this day highlights their achievements and reaffirms their vital role in the nation’s development.
According to Qatar News Agency, Qatari women have flourished under the support of the country’s wise leadership, guided by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The state has implemented policies, legislation, and institutions aimed at empowering women and enhancing their capabilities, positioning them as key partners in Qatar’s sustainable development. Qatar National Vision 2030 and the national constitution uphold their rights, ensuring equal opportunities and enabling them to assume leadership and decision-making roles.
The government has established specialized centers and initiatives to protect women’s rights, provide education and employment opportunities, and secure a dignified life. These efforts have facilitated their rise to influential positions, reinforcing their impact in various fields. Qatar actively celebrates occasions such as International Women’s Day and Gulf and Arab Women’s Days, underlining its commitment to gender equality, fairness, and the protection of women from discrimination and violence within the framework of a cohesive society.
A discussion on Qatari women’s progress is incomplete without acknowledging the profound contributions of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. Her global influence extends beyond Qatar, advocating for women’s empowerment, education, and social development. Under her leadership, Qatar Foundation has spearheaded initiatives in education, science, health, and cultural heritage, recently marking its 30th anniversary.
Prominent Qatari women leaders continue to emphasize the nation’s commitment to gender advancement. HE Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, and HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, have highlighted the remarkable achievements of Qatari women.
HE Al Attiyah praised the leadership’s dedication to ensuring women’s success in senior government and international roles, emphasizing their growing influence in decision-making. She noted that the state’s comprehensive support system has empowered women to actively contribute to Qatar’s progress, earning them respect and recognition both locally and globally. The government’s initiatives in education, health, employment, and professional development have been pivotal in fostering women’s leadership capabilities.
Furthermore, HE Al Attiyah commended HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s instrumental role in advancing women’s rights and launching transformative initiatives on local, regional, and international levels. Her efforts have reinforced Qatar’s commitment to gender equality and strengthened women’s participation across all sectors.
As Qatar continues to champion women’s empowerment, the nation stands as a model of progress, showcasing the indispensable role of women in shaping its present and future.
As a result of all this increasing interest in women in Qatar and at different stages of their lives, in addition to the establishment and foundation of various agencies and institutions that serve them, raise their capabilities, and enhance their empowerment, Qatari women have held senior positions in the country. They are the Ministers and the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, the Ambassador of the State to the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, the Undersecretary of the Ministry and the Assistant Undersecretary, and they have also held the position of President of Qatar University, in addition to other senior positions in the economic, diplomatic, educational, cultural, literary, and many other fields. They have also acquired their own entities and associations such as the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee and the Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA).
In a related context, Qatari women have played an active and influential role in all international events hosted by the State of Qatar, such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the recent Web Summit Qatar 2025.
In her special remarks to Qatar News Agency on the occasion of International Women’s Day, HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti stressed the active role of Qatari women and their participation in the country’s development efforts, which made them a major partner in building the present and shaping the future, side by side with men.
In a related context, Her Excellency added that on this day when the world celebrates women and their active role in societies, they reiterate that the State of Qatar, under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, has placed enhancing women’s participation among its strategic priorities, as a fundamental pillar in building a prosperous and advanced society.
HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council indicated that this vision has been reflected in national policies and in the state’s commitment to implementing Qatar National Vision 2030 and enhancing women’s participation in economic, social, and political development, as a key partner in building the present and shaping the future, side by side with men.
In this context, Her Excellency said the state has been keen to provide a supportive environment that provides Qatari women with wide opportunities in education, training, and rehabilitation, which has enabled them to achieve high academic achievement rates, with female university graduates exceeding 70 percent. National policies have also contributed to enhancing the role of women in the labor market, with their participation rate exceeding 37 percent, while Qatari women occupy 30 percent of decision-making positions, which reflects the level of trust they enjoy and their effective role in directing policies and making strategic decisions.
HE Al Sulaiti noted that Qatari women continue to advance in various sectors, as their percentage in specialized jobs exceeds 52 percent, which is a clear indicator of the success of national efforts in creating an appropriate climate to enhance their role, based on the belief that empowering women is an investment in the energies of society, and is positively reflected in sustainable development.
On this occasion, HE the Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council praised the pioneering role played by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), in supporting Qatari women and providing a role model, through her pioneering efforts in the field of education and development, and launching initiatives aimed at empowering women locally, regionally, and internationally.
Her Excellency added that there is no doubt that the excellence of Qatari women in serving their country is a result of the great support they have received. The wise leadership has believed in women’s potential and capabilities and has paid attention to enhancing their role in various areas of life, in addition to the state’s adoption of legislation and policies that have helped women achieve a balance between their responsibilities at work and their family role. She said that the Shura Council affirms its commitment to supporting policies and legislation that enhance the role of women and devote their active participation in various fields, in a way that achieves the goals of sustainable development and keeps pace with the aspirations of the wise leadership for a brighter future for Qatari women and society as a whole.
Efforts to enhance the role of Qatari women, develop their capabilities, and expand their contributions extend across public, private, and voluntary sectors, as well as the labor market, technical fields, and various branches of science and knowledge. This diversity in employment opportunities underscores their valuable role in scientific progress, research, innovation, and socio-economic development, positioning them as leaders and pioneers in various domains where Qatar has excelled on the global stage.
Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani, a member of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Chamber and President of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum, emphasized that Qatari women have received significant support from the wise leadership. This support has enabled them to participate actively in society, assume senior government positions, and engage in business and investment sectors, proving their capability and right to these opportunities.
In a special statement to Qatar News Agency on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Al Ahmadani highlighted the strong presence of Qatari women in the business world, noting their substantial contributions to the national economy through entrepreneurship and ambitious investment projects. She congratulated every woman who has contributed and continues to contribute to societal development and economic progress. She underscored the importance of celebrating this occasion as a tribute to women’s achievements across various sectors and as recognition of their pivotal role in building a prosperous and sustainable future.
Al Ahmadani further stressed the Qatar Chamber’s commitment to supporting and empowering women in the private sector by fostering an environment that encourages their economic participation. She highlighted the Chamber’s adoption of initiatives aimed at enhancing the role of businesswomen, facilitating the growth of their enterprises, and boosting their contributions to national development.
She emphasized that empowering women in entrepreneurship is a key pillar of sustainable development, expressing her aspiration for more initiatives and opportunities that enable women to realize their ambitions and contribute to both the national and global economy.
She also reviewed the efforts of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum in empowering women as a critical component of sustainable development. The forum serves as a platform uniting Qatari businesswomen and entrepreneurs who play an active role in strengthening the Qatari economy and enhancing the private sector’s role in national development.
The numerous achievements of Qatari women are widely recognized and deeply valued by society, serving as a source of pride for every Qatari citizen and resident. These accomplishments further encourage the enhancement of women’s roles and their participation in various aspects of life, while also representing Qatar on international platforms with distinction.
It is worth noting that the United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day in 1975 as a tribute to women’s contributions and to acknowledge their economic, political, and social achievements worldwide.