Doha: The second session of the International Academy for Women Leaders, themed “Leadership in the Digital Era,” commenced today in Doha, attracting a high-level attendance from local, regional, and global participants. The event is jointly organized by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRIs), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
According to Qatar News Agency, in her opening remarks, HE Chairperson of NHRC Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, who also chairs the ANNHRIs, emphasized that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is intrinsically linked to the digital empowerment of women and girls. She highlighted the necessity of ensuring women’s active engagement in policy-making and decision-making processes to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
HE Al Attiyah noted the connection between women’s leadership in the digital age and the i
mplementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 and other related resolutions. She emphasized the critical role of women in conflict prevention and peace-building, particularly in light of the devastating wars that disproportionately affect women. She stressed the need for countries to commit to promoting women’s access to digital technology to enhance their leadership capacities, access information, and create networking platforms.
Her Excellency underscored the importance of protecting women and girls from digital violence, stereotyping, and biases on digital platforms. She praised the role played by national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in monitoring legislation and practices, providing perspectives on emerging human rights issues, and facilitating productive dialogues among stakeholders.
Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, HE Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, praised NHRC’s initiative and its partners for organizing the International Academy for Women Leaders. She affirmed that Qatar’s selection
as the event’s host signifies global trust in Qatar and the region, highlighting Qatar’s commitment to international peace and security and its dedication to supporting women in various developmental fields.
Dr. Al Sulaiti emphasized the importance of women’s engagement in decision-making to shape a better future and called for partnerships to launch academic initiatives and training programs to enhance women’s capabilities in decision-making. She addressed the challenges women face, including marginalization and discrimination, which undermine their ambitions and ability to contribute to development.
She condemned the Israeli occupation army’s aggression against the Gaza Strip and other Palestinian territories, highlighting the ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and forced displacement. She stressed the international community’s responsibility to hold Israel accountable and noted that approximately 70% of the casualties in Gaza are women and children, according to the United Nations Office for Human Right
s.
HE Secretary-General of ANNHRIs Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali emphasized the role of national institutions in promoting women’s rights through awareness, education, and policy reviews. He highlighted the importance of laws ensuring women’s fair representation in political institutions and combating hate speech and stereotypes.
Martha Pobee, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by rapid technological advancements. She underscored the importance of social media in promoting democratic values and highlighted the risks of digital platforms spreading hate and misinformation. Pobee stressed the need for gender-sensitive approaches in digital policy-making to mitigate these challenges.
Shatha Alawneh, representative of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), highlighted the challenges faced by women, particularly in adapting to the digital age. She emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing these challenges and foste
ring promising female leaders by building networks and sharing expertise.
The event marks a significant step toward increasing women’s representation and influence in public life, with a focus on developing sustainable strategies to amplify women’s voices and contribute to inclusive and resilient communities.