CHSS Considers Impact of Gender Quotas on Women’s Political

Speakers draw on regional experiences to raise questions on how quotas advance equality

Entity: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Considers Impact of Gender Quotas on Women’s Political Participation

The fourth in a series of webinars tackling contemporary women's issues, organized by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), gathered parliamentarians, civil rights activists, and advocates to discuss the adoption of gender quota systems in the Arab region on July 7.

Although the introduction of electoral quotas for public elections - requiring a percentage of female representation - has been controversial in some countries, research has shown these to be effective in ‘fast-tracking’ women’s political representation to produce equality of results, not only equality of opportunity.

Panelists from Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, and Bahrain shared experiences of different types of quotas and how successful they have been in mobilizing women into political life and the labor market in their respective countries, and globally. Prominent speakers included Samia Melki Fessi, civil rights activist and President of KADIRAT, a women’s organization in Tunisia; Khawla Ben Aicha, political and civil rights activist; Fatima Outaleb, human rights and advocacy expert; Nourah Labiod, parliamentarian and civil rights activist; Somaya Al Jowder, physician and politician; and Houda Slim, President of the Arab Women Parliamentarians Network for Equality (Ra’edat).

During the exchange, moderated by Nourah Al Kuwari, a graduate of the MA in Women, Society and Development Program at CHSS, and member of the Qatari Women’s Affairs Steering Committee, the panel turned to whether the quota system was needed in the fast-developing MENA region. Speakers reflected on the impact of increasing women’s participation and advancing gender equality by having women’s interests represented in the political sphere.

Dr. Amal Al-Malki, founding dean, CHSS, commented: “The webinar was an excellent forum for CHSS to initiate a social debate on electoral quotas as one mechanism used internationally to advance gender parity. In introducing quotas, each country confronts a range of different contexts, which is why it was important to bring together a range of influential voices to share the results it has had. This is also the role of our Qatari Women’s Affairs Series, to encourage critical thought that challenges the kind of open discussion which can facilitate a deeper understanding.”

The Qatari Women's Affairs Series is organized by graduates of the MA in Women, Society and Development program to tackle women’s issues in the light of societal progress and economic development in Qatar.

To learn more about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, its activities, and events, visit chss.hbku.edu.qa.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Considers Impact of Gender Quotas on Women’s Political Participation

Speakers draw on regional experiences to raise questions on how quotas advance equality

Share:

Related News

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Considers Impact of Gender Quotas on Women’s Political Participation

Speakers draw on regional experiences to raise questions on how quotas advance equality

Share:

Related News

Sports Translation: Sidestepping the Challenges

Translation and Training Center Offers Professional Workshops

TII Invites Research Proposals for 12th International Conference

TII Presents a Second Edition of its Football Commentary Training

First Middle East Conference Witnesses Substantial Success

Humanities College to Host Inaugural Middle East Conference

CHSS Webinar Highlights How Future Direction of Translation is Being Shaped

CHSS Students Celebrate International Day of Peace

HBKU TII’s Translation and Training Center Unveils Continuing Professional Development Workshops

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Announces New Advisory Board Members

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Opens Application for High-Level Training Strengthening Qatari Women’s Political Participation

TII’s Language Center at HBKU Shares Arabic Language Expertise with Joutsenon Opisto, Finland Under New Agreement

EU Ambassador Highlights Need for Youth Engagement at HBKU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Talk

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Launches Qatari Women’s Affairs Series with Inaugural Webinar on Shura Council Elections

Women of the Middle East Podcast - A Q&A

Generation COVID: How Does The Pandemic Affect Job Market Prospects?

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Spearheads Academic Initiatives Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences Marks World Day of Social Justice

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Calls for Papers Ahead of Major Conference

HBKU’s Translation and Interpreting Institute Opens Registration for Business and Finance Workshop

Sports Translation: Sidestepping the Challenges

Translation and Training Center Offers Professional Workshops

TII Invites Research Proposals for 12th International Conference

TII Presents a Second Edition of its Football Commentary Training

First Middle East Conference Witnesses Substantial Success

Humanities College to Host Inaugural Middle East Conference

CHSS Webinar Highlights How Future Direction of Translation is Being Shaped

CHSS Students Celebrate International Day of Peace

HBKU TII’s Translation and Training Center Unveils Continuing Professional Development Workshops

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Announces New Advisory Board Members

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Opens Application for High-Level Training Strengthening Qatari Women’s Political Participation

TII’s Language Center at HBKU Shares Arabic Language Expertise with Joutsenon Opisto, Finland Under New Agreement

EU Ambassador Highlights Need for Youth Engagement at HBKU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Talk

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Launches Qatari Women’s Affairs Series with Inaugural Webinar on Shura Council Elections

Women of the Middle East Podcast - A Q&A

Generation COVID: How Does The Pandemic Affect Job Market Prospects?

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Spearheads Academic Initiatives Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences Marks World Day of Social Justice

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Calls for Papers Ahead of Major Conference

HBKU’s Translation and Interpreting Institute Opens Registration for Business and Finance Workshop

Sports Translation: Sidestepping the Challenges

Translation and Training Center Offers Professional Workshops

TII Invites Research Proposals for 12th International Conference

TII Presents a Second Edition of its Football Commentary Training

First Middle East Conference Witnesses Substantial Success

Humanities College to Host Inaugural Middle East Conference

CHSS Webinar Highlights How Future Direction of Translation is Being Shaped

CHSS Students Celebrate International Day of Peace

HBKU TII’s Translation and Training Center Unveils Continuing Professional Development Workshops

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Announces New Advisory Board Members

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Opens Application for High-Level Training Strengthening Qatari Women’s Political Participation

TII’s Language Center at HBKU Shares Arabic Language Expertise with Joutsenon Opisto, Finland Under New Agreement

EU Ambassador Highlights Need for Youth Engagement at HBKU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Talk

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Launches Qatari Women’s Affairs Series with Inaugural Webinar on Shura Council Elections

Women of the Middle East Podcast - A Q&A

Generation COVID: How Does The Pandemic Affect Job Market Prospects?

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Spearheads Academic Initiatives Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences Marks World Day of Social Justice

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Calls for Papers Ahead of Major Conference

HBKU’s Translation and Interpreting Institute Opens Registration for Business and Finance Workshop

Sports Translation: Sidestepping the Challenges

Translation and Training Center Offers Professional Workshops

TII Invites Research Proposals for 12th International Conference

TII Presents a Second Edition of its Football Commentary Training

First Middle East Conference Witnesses Substantial Success

Humanities College to Host Inaugural Middle East Conference

CHSS Webinar Highlights How Future Direction of Translation is Being Shaped

CHSS Students Celebrate International Day of Peace

HBKU TII’s Translation and Training Center Unveils Continuing Professional Development Workshops

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Announces New Advisory Board Members

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Opens Application for High-Level Training Strengthening Qatari Women’s Political Participation

TII’s Language Center at HBKU Shares Arabic Language Expertise with Joutsenon Opisto, Finland Under New Agreement

EU Ambassador Highlights Need for Youth Engagement at HBKU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Talk

College of Humanities and Social Sciences Launches Qatari Women’s Affairs Series with Inaugural Webinar on Shura Council Elections

Women of the Middle East Podcast - A Q&A

Generation COVID: How Does The Pandemic Affect Job Market Prospects?