The Doha Women Forum recently concluded its 7th edition, themed ‘Invest In Women: The Path For Peace, Security and Inclusion.’ This year’s event brought together a diverse range of speakers, including influential women from governmental agencies, entrepreneurship, and the creative arts.
Dana Al Fardan, a noted Qatari composer and singer, kicked off the forum with an address on the prevalent stereotypes surrounding leadership. She emphasized the misconception that women must adopt traditionally masculine traits to be competitive in leadership roles. Al Fardan pointed out that this mindset undermines the unique and valuable contributions women can make. She stressed that traditional leadership qualities often linked to men, such as decisiveness and competitiveness, overlook the warmth and collaborative skills women naturally possess.
Sara Abdulla, a scientific expert from the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council, echoed this sentiment in a panel discussion, highlighting that women tend to lead with empathy and connection. Al Fardan reinforced the idea that a blend of both masculine and feminine qualities is crucial for sustainable development and innovation.
The forum also focused on the representation of women in STEM fields. Veronica Bermudez, Executive Director of Research and Development at the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, shared her observations of the diminishing presence of women in leadership roles throughout her career. Although she has worked in various countries, she noted that Qatar Foundation stands out as a supportive environment for women in STEM.
Arafa Alhammadi, a Qatari personal development expert, discussed her goal of fostering spaces that help women build self-confidence in their professional journeys. She remarked that reframing what failures mean—viewing them as opportunities for growth—is essential to empowering women.
Support from Qatari men was also evident. Entrepreneur Ghanim Al Sulaiti called for investments in health and wellness, emphasizing that achieving inclusive goals requires active participation from women.
The event concluded with inspiring remarks from Lebanese television host Joelle Mardinian. She candidly shared that despite her public successes, personal challenges affected her physical and mental health. Her story serves as a reminder that success is accompanied by struggles, and it’s important for women to recognize that the journey is shared among us all. Mardinian’s message of resilience and inspiration emphasizes that every effort to pursue dreams, regardless of the outcome, is valuable.
