On the occasion of International Women's Day, which falls on March 8 of each year, the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre "AMAN", concerned with protection & rehabilitation of women and children who are victims of violence or break up and reintegrating them in society, and of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, launches its awareness-raising events and activities. AMAN, in line with its objectives, launches celebrations that last for a whole week.

On this occasion, Acting Executive Director of the Center Abdulaziz Al Ishaq expressed that: Celebrating this event by AMAN Center reflects our pride in what women offer in all fields, stressing their important role in building the future of nations. We endeavor to ensure that our celebration is in line with the one of the UN, which selected environment as a celebration aspect this year and focused on the role of women in building a more sustainable future.

Al Ishaq added that: We derived the technical identity of the event from the main theme. However, we designed a number of activities and events that are appropriate to AMAN directions and fulfil its objectives. As such, we merged both while focusing on the fulfilment of AMAN objectives.

On celebrating International Women's Day, Al Ishaq stated: Women worldwide have encountered difficult and exceptional circumstances during the last two years in relation to Covid-19 and the associated uncommon experience in workplace or home. Several international studies had demonstrated the increased violence against women, especially during quarantine in many counties. While we are at the threshold of this epidemic eradication, this Day becomes an opportunity to recognize all the efforts by all women worldwide.

Abdulaziz Al Ishaq added that: We are proud this year in presenting a gift to every woman in the State of Qatar. This gift is “Women's Award" and will be divided into several categories in alignment with AMAN Center and its objectives. All details on this award will be announced in the press conference soon.

Finally, he stated that: Recognizing all women, AMAN Center intends this year to announce a surprise on the occasion of International Women's Day, which surprise is appropriate to AMAN directions and will please all women in the State of Qatar.

International Women's Day Activities

The celebration includes organization of a series of various awareness-raising activities. They start with display of films and awareness-raising designs for women on social media.

Additionally, on March 1 and 2, a trip will be organized for social, psychological and legal specialists of AMAN's Protection Department and Rehabilitation Department, and as an endeavor by AMAN management to break the daily routine and create a positive work environment free from any psychological pressures and negative situations in work to which such specialists, each within his competency, are exposed. They are significant psychological recommendations that help the social specialists to continue their contributions to work and avoid the impact of the problems addressed by them, which in turn are likely to affect them at the family and personal levels.

On March 3, AMAN Center will organize an online seminar under the title “How do I protect myself". This seminar will be introduced by Dr. Hanan Al Qattan, director of Etzan Consultation and Training Center in Kuwait. She will highlight the social and psychological aspects of this topic and provide the required consultation to the audience.

Also, Dr. Asmaa Al Qarra Daghi will share a worksheet from the legal prospective, as she will address the most important legislations and procedures that women can utilize to protect themselves.

This seminar will be managed by Mrs. Sharifa Al Saad - Production Specialist at AMAN Center.

On March 6, AMAN Center will hold a major workshop in Sharq Hotel under the title “Be confident". Mrs. Wadha Al-Athba, the Human Development Trainer, will open this workshop by an interactive motivation lecture prior to starting the associated events, including rehabilitation, treatment and media workshops to be introduced by specialists in social protection field, each within his area of competency.

Dr. Salah Al Mannai – an advisor of the Protection Department, Mrs. Kholeh Mortazawi – the famous media personality, and Dr. Dalia Mo'men – a Psychologist of AMAN center will participate in these workshops.

The audience will share different visions in all fields in order to conclude to the appropriate recommendations that can help AMAN Center to fulfil the objectives anticipated by the society.

The procedures for registration in all awareness-raising workshops will be announced via the social media accounts of AMAN Center. A special link will be provided to the audience for registration in the awareness-raising workshops.   

On March 7, AMAN Center will hold a press conference to announce the most important event this year, as it will launch the “Women's Award" as a part of celebrating International Women's Day by AMAN Center.

The concept of “Women's Award" is intended to affirm the endeavors of the State of Qatar to promote and protect women's human rights, and build their capacities in order for them to have a basic and effective role in peace and development as the basis and drive of progress to achieve all Millennium Development Goals. It also affirms that promotion of women's rights is associated with actual advocacy of the rights and duties of family, which is the fundamental inherent unit of the society.

By announcing “Women's Award", AMAN Center mainly aims to encourage women to achieve excellence and raise awareness on women's participation in the sustainable overall development, which will significantly contribute to the domestic and international societies. Also, it intends to extend the role model values in the society through excellent women who are role models for other women in their society and the world.

This conveys to the international society a mental image concerning the role of the State of Qatar in promoting the role of women in society generally and particularly the Qatari women, in recognition of their position and highlighting their supremacy in several fields and competencies by nomination for this prominent international award. It also establishes positive competition in different sectors involving women, and widens the excellence values of working women, which result in increased productivity of women and improved deliverables of the institutions to which they are affiliated.         

This also encompasses cooperation with different entities across the State for participating in various activities in line with the celebrations of International Women's Day. These entities include, for example, College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, as AMAN Center will participate in the special events of International Women's Day on Tuesday March 8, by placing an introductory corner of AMAN Center at the campus. The role and service of AMAN Center will be explained to the target groups.

In coordination with all managers of communication and public relations in the State, a card will be sent to each working woman on the occasion of International Women's Day, with a special message to her on March 8, since women are partners with men in all aspects.

On March 8, AMAN Center will also organize a trip for 20 women of the different categories of the Qatari society. This trip will incorporate many activities including introduction of the role of AMAN Center, attending direct rehabilitation and treatment sessions for the first time as well as innovation workshops on issues with which AMAN Center is concerned.     

“Heenat Salma Farm" was selected to host this event given the noble values of this Farm, which are in alignment with International Women's Day and AMAN Center. This Farm is originated from a voluntary project and has several values, of which the most important are environmental conversation and care of talents and crafts. 

Overview of International Women's Day:

It is worthy to mention that the slogan of International Women's Day 2022 is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow", in recognition of the various contributions of women and girls around the world who are leading the task of adapting, mitigating, and responding to climate change to build a more sustainable future for all.

Given the climate crisis and mitigation of the risk of disasters, promotion of equality is a major challenge in the 21st century. The issues of climate change and sustainability had, and will have, severe and constant impacts on our environment as well as economic and social development. Of course, the most vulnerable groups are most likely to be affected by this crisis. It is being increasingly known that women are more vulnerable than men to the impacts of climate change, since women represent the majority of the poor around the world and are more dependent on the natural resources that are particularly threatened by climate change.            

On the other hand, women and girls are effective leaders and changemakers in connection with mitigation of the seriousness of climate change and adaptation to it. They are engaged in various initiatives related to sustainability worldwide, and their engagement and leadership always lead to more effective climate work. Therefore, persisting in consideration of the opportunities and impediments to empower women and girls to communicate their voice and engagement in decision making in connection with all climate change and sustainability related issues is deemed a political affair if we desire to achieve sustainable development and foster equality, since we cannot enjoy a sustainable or equitable future without equality.