Qatar: first inaugural session of the Shura, only two women appointed
The ruler of Qatar, Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in front of the Shura Council in Doha, November 3, 2020. VIA REUTERS - QATAR NEWS AGENCY
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
For the first time in the history of Qatar, 30 of the 45 members of the Shura were elected, the other 15 were appointed by the Emir.
But no woman was elected in the October 2 ballot and only two were nominated by the sovereign.
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“
I was so proud to see two women running in my riding.
Youssef al-Khater faced female candidates in his district, but it was he who was elected to the Shura in the ballot in early October.
In all, around thirty Qatari women were in the running but none won at the polls.
“
I was a little disappointed,
admits the elected official,
but it is the result of the elections, we must respect it.
It will take time, but we will see women elected to the Shura Council.
"
► See also: Legislative firsts in Qatar: no woman elected in a very restricted ballot
Fewer women than in the previous Choura
Two women are among the 15 members of the Assembly chosen and appointed by the Emir of Qatar.
This is less than in the previous Shura - there were four of them then.
Hessa al-Jaber was one of them.
She is also a former Minister of Telecommunications.
"
We have women at the head of companies now, we have women ministers, they are present in all fields,
" she assures.
Do they have to make further progress?
Absoutely.
Men or women, we must always do a little better.
"
In a report released this year, the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the male guardianship system that keeps Qatari women under the authority of a husband or father.
The Consultative Assembly of Qatar (or Majlis al-Shura) which will be inaugurated on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 will be able to propose laws, approve the budget or dismiss ministers.
But the emir retains a right of veto.
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Qatar
Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani