Mona Al-Mutawa: Qatar has made active steps towards establishing women’s and children’s rights.

Doha: March 8, 2020

Ms. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of the National Human Rights Committee (NH, confirmed that Men and women are completely equal in Islam. Allah Almighty says: “And wish not for the things in which Allah has made some of you exceed others. For men there is a reward for what they have earned, and for women there is a reward for what they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Surely Allah is Ever All-knower of everything”. Moreover, Al Attiyah also noted that Islam honors women, safeguards their chastity, and preserves their dignity. It guarantees the rights confirmed by the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, e.g. woman’s right to work and education while adhering to the rules and controls of women employment established by Islamic Sharia. Al-Attiyah called for strengthening the legal and rights system, so that women and children can be provided with necessary protection, activating the comprehensive justice system in national legislations, and complying with international covenants related to women’s and children’s rights in a way that does not contradict with the principles of Islamic Sharia.

That was stated in the speech made by Ms. Maryam Al-Attiyah at the opening of the works of the seminar entitled “Legal and Judicial Protection for Women and Children”. The seminar was jointly organized by the National Human Rights Committee and the “Qatar Lawyers Association” and a number of competent authorities in the state as a part of the observance of International Women’s Day. The Secretary-General of the NHRC stated that “The violations and challenges faced by women and children in many parts of the world are due to historical reasons rooted in communities, economic reasons because of poverty and lack of basic services such as health, education, etc., or armed conflicts taking place in many countries, especially in our Arab region.”

Al-Attiyah explained that the seminar is an embodiment of the serious attention given by all towards human rights in general and the rights of women and children in particular, pointing out that the seminar opens the way for researchers, experts and media professionals to conduct further studies and discussions on Legislative, legal and procedural aspects, for the advancement of women and children including guaranteed effective protection of their rights that are internationally recognized and enshrined within the framework of different experiences and practices.
Ms. Maryam bint Abdullah Al-Attiyah explained that legal and judicial protection for women and children still needs to receive genuine efforts from many countries along with international and regional organizations, to highlight the importance of strengthening the legal and rights system, in order to provide the necessary protection for them; pointing out that the State of Qatar has placed the issue of guaranteeing women’s and child rights at the top priorities of the national strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030, by creating a specialized and effective legislative and institutional environment. At the same time, Al-Attiyah confirmed that the State of Qatar has made many achievements in the field of women’s and children’s rights at the level of enacting new legislation and amending existing legislation, eliminating practical obstacles and resolving many problems that prohibit, impede or put obstacles to women and children enjoyment of their human rights. This is in addition to working to educate on the importance of legislative development that regulates rights of women and children, enabling civil society to play an influential role in this regard and facilitating and improving access to justice, in order to protect all the rights of women and children, putting an end to abuses, and imposing deterrent penalties against whomsoever violates these rights.

Al-Attiyah considered that the annual observance of “International Women’s Day” is an important occasion that expresses great appreciation of the efforts of women in achieving progress and sustainable development in their communities, pointing out that this day is an important occasion for the world to highlight the most prominent achievements made by women in various aspects of life and at all economic, political and social levels, as it is an appropriate opportunity to assess the progress made with regard the enjoyment of women’s rights on the ground. Regarding the protection of children’s rights, Al-Attiyah confirmed that “the International Convention on the Rights of the Child” devotes its provisions to ensuring the preservation of the basic human dignity of all children, emphasizing the importance of enjoying all their rights, working for their well-being and development, and upholding their best interests.

On her part, Ms. Mona Youssef Al-Mutawa, member of the Qatar Lawyers Association, said, “The Association supported by its members used to organize events and seminars that support legal literacy, and enrich the legal community with discussion and studies that serve society as it has become the basis for all works in human activities, pointing out that “this importance has increased with the belief of states and individuals in raising legal awareness and improving it, which was realized by (Qatar’s lawyers) view to raise awareness, and its belief in the role of societal institutions in the formation of an integrated image designed to serve society in all its spectrum and in pursuit of anything that makes community work effectively.
Ms. Mona Al-Mutawa indicated that the State of Qatar had made great strides towards recognition of women’s and children’s rights in all fields under the guidance of H.H. sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and his vision towards the consolidation and recognition of women’s and children’s rights, noting that the instructions of the Emir was instrumental in moving forward efforts to a practical application. Al-Mutawa also added that “Qatari women have been assigned leadership positions starting from ministerial posts and the university presidency and in the areas of judiciary and prosecution, they also practiced law efficiently and competently, as well as entry into the diplomatic and parliamentary career.”

It is worth mentioning that the seminar discussed in its agenda many topics and working papers, the first session was entitled “international conventions and treaties”. The session reviewed a number of working papers on “The rights of the child: a call for action”, “the rights of women and children in the comparative conventions and laws” and “International conventions and their compatibility with domestic legislation and laws”. the second session was entitled ” domestic legislation and laws”. The session reviewed “the reflection of Qatar National Vision 2030 on laws relating to women and children”, “Law’s View of Arab Women .. Between Reality and Expectation”, ” empowerment of women in the legal field ” and ” Foster mothers in Qatari law “.