Qatar: Women community leaders "hold the line," mark women’s month
The event, held under the theme: "Hold the Line: Educate, Inspire, and Engage Your Community," was supported by the Workers Support and Insurance Fund, the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI), and the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF). It featured a poster design competition, presentations, and cultural dances from the Philippines, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Kenya won the first place in the poster design competition, while Nigeria received the grand prize for its cultural presentation and traditional dance. A special performance from the teachers and students of the Skills Development Centre, managed by Mr. Babu Rajan, showcasing Indian classical dance, was also featured.
Khulood Saif Al Kubaisi, Executive Director of Qatar’s Workers Insurance and Support Fund, praised the unity of women leaders at the celebration, noting their five years of commitment to advancing migrant women's rights. She highlighted various programs initiated, including socio-cultural activities, sports programs, and training on gender sensitivity and leadership. Khulood emphasised collaboration with migrant community associations and global unions like BWI and IDWF, stressing their role in advocating for better living and working conditions for migrant workers, particularly women.
For her part, Myla “Mags” Laja, Chairperson of the Women Community Leaders' Forum (WCLF) and Women Program Coordinator, thanked the special guests for gracing the occasion and extended her appreciation to the over 200 women who took part in the celebration. "It is our 5th year of celebrating International Women’s Day here in Doha, State of Qatar, as a united front of migrant community women leaders. Our theme is 'Hold the Line: Educate, Inspire, Motivate Your Community,' a powerful call to challenge all women in our community to take up the mantle of leadership and advocacy in building bridges, advancement, and collaborations towards improvement in women’s welfare to promote decent work, a better future ensures occupational safety and health as the empowered women’s community of Qatar," Ms. Mags emphasized.
Noimot Omolara Olayiwola, Chairperson of the IWD 2024 Organising Committee and Founder of the Nigerian Expatriate Women Forum in Qatar (NEWFOQ), gave a speech encouraging women workers to keep holding the line no matter what they are experiencing in life. "As women, we have the resilience to carry on even when everything seems to be at a standstill. We have the abilities to quickly adapt and innovate in whichever situation we find ourselves. So, it is important to remain together as a community and keep inspiring one another. This is what we do as a community women leaders’ forum in Qatar - holding the line and leading by inspiring one another.”
Prathiba Ratheesh, an Indian women's community leader, Margaret Kabue from Kenya, Faith A. A, a notable figure among Ugandan women, Nuret Mhmmed Ahmed (Hanan), a leader in the Ethiopian community, Lulu Nyalali, respected among Tanzanian women, Salina Rasul, a Bangladeshi community leader, and Nisha Parajuli, influential among Nepalese women, all attended the occasion.