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Business / Qatar Business

Doha Women Forum 2019 to address gender equality in workplace

Published: 23 Sep 2019 - 12:00 am | Last Updated: 28 Dec 2021 - 11:39 am
FROM LEFT: Amel Al Aathem, Board Member, Qatar Businesswomen Association; Ammar Samad, Manager, Westin Doha Hotel; Conchita Ponce, Founder, Future 318; Luigia Ingianni, Commissioner of the Employment Standards Office, Qatar Financial Centre; Ibtehaj Al Ah

FROM LEFT: Amel Al Aathem, Board Member, Qatar Businesswomen Association; Ammar Samad, Manager, Westin Doha Hotel; Conchita Ponce, Founder, Future 318; Luigia Ingianni, Commissioner of the Employment Standards Office, Qatar Financial Centre; Ibtehaj Al Ah

Lani Rose R Dizon | The Peninsula

The upcoming Doha Women Forum which will be held on September 29 at the Westin Doha Hotel and Spa will address issues of gender diversity in the workplace, with prominent speakers from Qatar advocating that gender equality is no longer an option but a necessity in the corporate world.

The event is organised by Future 318 (Faisal Al Suwaidi for Events) in partnership with the Qatar Businesswomen Association (QBWA) and Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) Automobiles ‘She’s Mercedes’ platform.

It is also supported by the Qatar Chamber (QC), International Chamber of Commerce Qatar (ICC Qatar), Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), various embassies and women’s groups in Qatar.

QBWA Vice-Chairwoman Aisha Alfardan will deliver the keynote speech during the event. Influential dignitaries including Canada’s Ambassador to Qatar Stefanie McCollum and Argentina’s Ambassador to Qatar Carlos Hernandez, will speak on the topic of women in politics. Other speakers will also include government officials, business leaders, sports representatives, and social advocates in Qatar.

This year’s theme, ‘Balance for Better’, is modeled on the International Women’s Day theme which highlights the economic benefits of gender balance. With women and girls representing half of the world’s population and therefore half of its potential, the forum seeks to call for action against gender discrimination which stagnates social progress.

During the event, success stories of women empowerment in Qatar will also be highlighted. QC Board Member Ibtehaj Al Ahmadani, at a press conference yesterday, noted that Qatar’s largest private sector body spares no effort in supporting initiatives for empowering women in the country.

“To support businesswomen, ICC Qatar established the National Home-based Businesses Program and promoted businesswomen’s projects at the World Chamber Congress held recently in Brazil. QC also supports home-based businesses owned by Qatari women. The Chamber provides them with free spaces in Made in Qatar expos and other exhibitions the Chamber participates in,” she added.

The day-long forum will feature inspiring talks, group discussions and workshops, as well as an interactive session to facilitate networking. Topics will also discuss issues faced by women in sports, Information Technology, and social entrepreneurship.

Doha Women Forum and Future 318 Founder Conchita Ponce said: “Gender inequality is truly one of the evils of society as it not just affects women, but the community at large by restricting economic and social growth. Doha Women Forum was created with the aim of empowering and educating women about their rights and encouraging them to be the best they can be. We would like to invite women to be a part of the forum to understand the importance of gender balance and learn how to handle bias in their homes, workplaces, or society”.

North Oil Company (NOC), one of the key sponsors of the event, is also a strong supporter of gender parity with its ‘Women in NOC’ (WIN) initiative. WIN organises activities to support and encourage women in their professional and personal paths, and seeks to remove obstacles that block women from having equal opportunities as their male peers.

WIN Chairperson Maha Abdeen said: “Gender equality is much more than a few measurements and statistics. It is a process of transformation and a series of ever-evolving actions that take time; but one that will undoubtedly promote sustainable development, spur productivity and economic growth and ultimately achieve peaceful societies.”