Qatar Chamber has participated in the Arab Forum for Working Woman, organised recently by the Arab Labour Organisation (ALO) in Cairo, Egypt.
The forum was also highlighted by the launch of the Arabic Strategy for the Advancement of Women in the Framework of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, according to a Qatar Chamber press statement.
The strategy was prepared for the implementation of the decision of the 44th Arab Labour Conference in 2017, and the recommendation of the 16th Arab Women Affairs Committee held last year. Held under the theme ‘Empowerment from a Sustainable Development Perspective’, the forum discussed various topics, including the role played by ALO in promoting issues related to women’s work, support for the participation of Arab women in sustainable development, and the role of media in supporting women.
It also focused on providing support and decent work for women, mechanisms and policies that back the presence of women in decision-making positions in trade union organisations, the Arab Strategy for the developing women’s work in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, as well as women’s economic empowerment programmes, UN-Women’s projects, and enhancing girls’ and women’s participation in the labour sector. Qatar Chamber board member and chairperson of Qatari Businesswomen Forum, Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani, said women’s empowerment represents comprehensive developmental and societal dimensions.
She said the Arab Strategy for the Advancement of Women’s Work 2030, launched by the ALO, called on concerned authorities in Arab countries to strengthen their co-operation and collaboration to support equality and promote the rights of working women.
She stressed on the chamber’s interest and keenness on backing Arab co-operation for improving women’s labour environment and providing support for women’s projects through finance and promoting their products.
She added that Qatar Chamber is supporting home-based businesses by helping women transform their businesses into small and medium-sized enterprises.