The Shura Council State of Qatar

The Shura Council participated in the Second Women Parliamentary Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM), hosted by the Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.

HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, and HE Member of the Council, Amina bint Youssef Al Jaidah, represented the Shura Council at the forum.

The forum broadly addressed four main pillars: advancing the empowerment of women in economic and political spheres, enhancing women's and girls' access to health, education, and environmental justice, the role of women in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism, and addressing terrorism-related violence.

Addressing the forum, Dr. Hamda emphasized that Qatar approaches women's issues from the firm conviction that addressing the root causes of violent extremism represents the most effective entry point for its prevention. She highlighted the nation's commitment to supporting women in conflict-affected areas through education, capacity-building, and skills development, by dint of promoting a culture of peace, justice, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

Dr. Hamda noted the Shura Council's participation in organizing the Global Women Parliamentary Forum in Doha in 2024, in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, which drilled down on the role of women parliamentarians in developing, implementing, and monitoring legislation and policies related to counter-terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism.

She pointed out that the forum's recommendations emphasized enhancing women parliamentarians' engagement in policymaking and strengthening international parliamentary cooperation in this field.
The Deputy Speaker stressed that women's empowerment constitutes a foundational pillar for building cohesive and inclusive societies capable of achieving development and stability from the Gulf to the Mediterranean.
She underscored that women's empowerment is no longer solely a social issue, but a central factor in supporting political stability, societal prosperity, and mitigating the drivers of conflict and violence.
She noted that women continue to bear the brunt of wars, conflicts, and the spread of violence and terrorism, particularly Palestinian women in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, who face severe humanitarian hardships and deprivation of basic rights.
Dr. Hamda further referenced international treaties and Security Council resolutions on women's political rights, highlighting the importance of women's participation in public life, decision-making, and peace processes, while cautioning that a significant gap remains between global commitments and their practical implementation.
She further stressed the need to develop clear coordination pathways under the UN Counter-Terrorism Coordination Mechanism for parliamentary assemblies, enhancing cooperation with humanitarian agencies, civil society organizations, government entities, and affected communities, and supporting efforts to ensure effective protection for women and girls in conflict and fragile settings.
Having participated in a session on the importance of supporting women in education, health, and environmental sustainability, Dr. Hamda presented Qatar's experience in women's empowerment, drawing on Qatar National Vision 2030 and successive development strategies.
She emphasized that education, health, and environmental development form interlinked pillars in building society, and that Qatar has prioritized these areas strategically, thereby enhancing human, social, economic, and environmental development, while cementing women as active partners in sustainable development.
She also highlighted the current state of women's empowerment in education, health, and environmental sustainability, noting the high participation of Qatari women in general and higher education, the growing engagement in STEM disciplines, and the development of curricula aligned with digital transformation and future skills, in addition to international educational initiatives led by Qatar.
The Deputy Speaker addressed health policies supporting women's well-being, encompassing an integrated network of specialized services, centers, prevention, care, and psychosocial support programs, alongside women's engagement in environmental sustainability initiatives and community engagement in national programs.
She concluded by linking this path to the humanitarian realities of women in Gaza, stressing that discussions on women's rights to education, health, and dignified living are incomplete insofar as practical measures addressing the suffering of Palestinian women, including urgent action to halt aggression, ensure delivery of aid, and provide basic living conditions, are not implemented, recognizing these as indivisible human rights.
For her part, HE Al Jaidah, in the same session, noted that Qatar pursues a comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism and violent extremism prevention, based on early community-based prevention, building intellectual awareness, promoting social cohesion, and reinforcing values of moderation and dialogue.
She stressed that addressing extremism extends beyond security measures, beginning with education, upbringing, culture, and human development, with active participation of Qatari women in awareness programs across schools, universities, and cultural centers, contributing to protecting future generations and promoting a culture of peace and coexistence.
Al Jaidah further explained that the Shura Council plays a supportive role in national policies related to family cohesion and social solidarity, through reviewing plans and reports submitted by relevant authorities, enhancing the role of family, education, and cultural identity in preventing violent extremism, and contributing to international dialogue and knowledge exchange through forums, conferences, and cultural platforms.
She concluded by noting that including women in policymaking and legislation related to countering terrorism-linked violence is essential for more inclusive and sustainable responses, thereby strengthening community security and societal stability.