Although the number of Qatari women holding senior posts in the civil service ministries has slightly increased in the past few years, they have been absent from the ministries dealing with politics, economics and law. According to a study issued by the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Qatari women are still facing difficulties in reaching the top posts at ministries dealing with foreign and economic affairs, while citing that Qatari women failed to make it to ambassador-level post. “Women’s representation in top jobs was only concentrated in the ministries and departments concerned with the social affairs including health, education, Qatar University. But they were not represented in those dealing with politics and economy,” the study said. While women participation in top posts in the civil service levels increased from 5.2% in 2001 to 7% in 2007, they had no representation at the ambassador-level. Also, the study showed that their representation in the under secretary posts have fallen to 2.4% in 2007 from 14.3% in 2001. “Qatari women’s opportunities for promotion to senior jobs at the government departments are still less than those of men who have the same educational qualifications,” the study concluded. However, the study indicated that Qatari women are holding top posts at 43% of the Qatari NGOs including Qatari Foundation for Women and Children Protection, family consultancy centre and social development centre which are presided over by women. About women’s participation in law jobs, the study said no female judges among Qatari women have been named so far. “Although the number of Qatari female lawyers has constituted 13.7% of the Qatari lawyers, the judges’ posts in the Qatari courts are still an exclusive job for men while there are only two women general prosecutors compared to 48 male general prosecutors,” the study added. On women’s participation in media, the study said there was a significant rise in the number of the Qatari female columnists in the local newspapers. “Although Qatari women who are working with newspapers and magazines have increased from 13.2% in 2004 to 22.1% in 2007, the chief editor jobs are still controlled by men,” it added. A recent report by the National Human Rights committee (NHRC) expressed concern over women’s limited participation in the political life. http://gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=309333&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16

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