Status of women in Qatar, host of World Cup
Qatar has a population of about 2.8 million, of whom 90% are residents of the capital city of Doha. The number of women in Qatar has grown rapidly due to the government’s commitment to gender equality and the introduction of quotas in 2011. Although men still occupy the majority of public posts in Qatar’s society, women, particularly young women, have achieved senior positions at all levels of society.
Women’s rights in Qatar In the country’s 2011 constitution, the state is defined as a “secular state” which guarantees human rights for all residents, regardless of status. This includes the right to be protected; “throughout the state, and in accordance with the principles codified in the Basic Law”, it provides a range of services free of charge. Women are also free to pursue all types of educational and employment opportunities.
In 2015, Qatari women won the right to vote, the first in the Middle East. The vote gave them the right to participate in parliamentary elections and provincial council elections.
Political rights The 2011 constitution in Qatar provides women with the right to vote, which is seen as a major step forward in women’s rights in the nation. Qatari law provides women with many other rights, including being able to contest political positions even with men who have held the same office, and being able to participate in local elections. In 2011, all 47 members of the Qatari Parliament were female.
In June 2019, the constitution was amended to provide for the appointment of female ministers to government positions – the first time women would be given such rights. Following this amendment, a total of 22 women formed the cabinet, with the majority entering from the lower house of parliament.
In 2016, women’s participation in the National Development Strategy was announced. It was announced that women will be represented on seven of the 30 committees of the National Development Planning Agency and that in the future, they will be able to participate in all the consultations and drafting of the National Development Plan. The government also agreed to support women’s participation in the management of the social security and education systems in both Qatar and abroad.
In May 2019, new legislation was announced which allows more