International Women’s Day Reflection: The Long Road Ahead for Women’s Rights in Qatar
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, honoring the progress made in achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, it is crucial to reflect on the stark realities faced by women in certain parts of the world—particularly in Qatar, where gender discrimination persists despite some advancements.
While Qatari women today are increasingly visible in education and the public sector, their rights and freedoms remain curtailed by laws and practices that reflect deep-rooted gender inequalities. Qatar’s record on women’s rights demonstrates a significant gap when compared to global standards, underscoring how much progress is still needed.
The Weight of Male Guardianship
One of the most glaring examples of institutionalized gender discrimination is Qatar’s male guardianship system. Qatar is the only remaining country in the Gulf region that still requires women to have male guardian permission to travel abroad. This restriction represents a serious infringement on women’s personal freedom and autonomy, limiting their ability to make decisions about their own lives without male oversight.
Qatari women must also obtain their male guardian’s approval to marry, study abroad on government scholarships, or work in many government positions. Even in matters of healthcare and family, including reproductive health and guardianship over their own children, women remain legally subordinated to male authority.
Discrimination in Citizenship and Nationality Laws
The Qatari Nationality Act No. 38 of 2005 further exemplifies the institutional discrimination that Qatari women face. Under this law, children of Qatari women married to non-Qatari men do not automatically inherit Qatari citizenship, unlike children born to Qatari men. While there is a permanent residency option, it does not offer equal rights or pathways to full citizenship, leaving many children of Qatari women in a precarious legal status.
This gender-based disparity violates international human rights law, depriving children of Qatari women of equal opportunities and access to citizenship simply based on their mother’s gender. It reinforces a system in which men retain privileged rights, while women remain secondary citizens in their own country.
Economic Disparities and Workplace Inequality
Qatari women have made strides in higher education, and their labor force participation is among the highest in the Arab world, but wage inequality persists. Women, both Qatari and non-Qatari, are routinely paid 25% to 50% less than men. In addition, social allowances—including housing and travel stipends—are disproportionately granted to male employees, placing women at a financial disadvantage.
In the private sector, where higher-paying jobs are more concentrated, men still dominate, particularly in finance and leadership roles. Qatari women remain underrepresented in decision-making positions, whether in politics, economics, or legislative bodies. Despite public sector gains, their voices are largely absent from the spaces where policy and power are shaped.
Barriers in Family and Custodial Rights
Qatari law also places limitations on a woman’s role as a primary guardian of her children. Even when divorced, women are not granted full guardianship rights, and their authority in family matters is often overruled by male guardians. While Muslim mothers are given more custodial rights than non-Muslim mothers, these rights are still heavily regulated and restricted by male authority figures.
The Way Forward
On International Women’s Day, the spotlight on Qatar serves as a reminder that gender equality is far from achieved in many parts of the world. In Qatar, legislative reforms are urgently needed to dismantle the male guardianship system, ensure equal citizenship rights, address the gender wage gap, and increase women’s participation in leadership and governance.
The preservation of women’s rightsin Qatar remains far behind global standards, and unless substantial legal and cultural changes are enacted, Qatari women will continue to face systemic discrimination. For true progress, Qatar must align its laws with international human rights norms, guaranteeing women full autonomy, equal rights, and opportunities in every aspect of life.
Conclusion
On this important day of reflection and advocacy, let us not forget the women of Qatar who continue to strive for equality and justice. Their resilience is inspiring, and their struggle underscores the ongoing fight for universal human rights and dignity for all women.
International Women’s Day is not just a celebration—it is a call to action. And for Qatar, that action is long overdue.