Inspirational Qatari Women

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8th, it is important celebrate the many inspirational Qatari women who have made an impact on society in many walks of life. From politics to business, from healthcare to sports, Qatari women have played a bigger role year after year, paving the way for future generations.

Here is a list of some influential and inspirational Qatari women:

Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser

Pictured: H.H. Sheikha Bint Nasser. Image source: Moza Bint Nasser website. 

H.H. Sheikha Moza Bint Naser is the most prominent female figure in Qatar having led many social and educational reforms in Qatar. She is the chairperson of the Qatar Foundation and works with the UN for global education in initiatives. She has been the UNESCO Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education since 2003. In 2012, she founded Education Above All (EAA) to deliver education to children who have no means of gaining it. She also founded Silatech in 2008 to tackle the issue of unemployment in the Middle East, North Africa, and other regions.  In 2016, she was appointed Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She has also received many honorary doctorates from various universities such as Virginia Commonwealth University and Imperial College London.

Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari

Pictured: H.E. Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari. Image source: Government Communications Office of Qatar website.

H.E. Dr. Hana Mohamed Al Kuwari is the managing director of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). HMC is the main provider of secondary or tertiary healthcare in Qatar, managing 12 hospitals across Qatar. She was also appointed as Minister of Public Health in 2016. She has also worked with the World Health Organization (WHO).  Dr. Hanan also made it to the Forbes Middle East’s ‘100 Most Powerful Businesswomen 2023’.

Her Excellency Sheikha Asma Al Thani

Pictured: H.E. Sheikha Asma Al Thani. Image source: @atalthani Instagram page.

H.E. Sheikha Asma Al Thani is a mountaineer and the first Qatari woman to summit Mount Everest and K2. She was also the first Qatari person to ski to the North Pole. Sheikha Asma is also the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Qatar Olympic Team.

Dr. Buthaina Al Ansari

Pictured: Dr. Buthaina Al Ansari. Image source: Beacon Consulting website.

Dr. Buthaina Al Ansari is one of Qatar’s leading businesswomen. She is a Senior Advisor at Beacon Consulting and the founder of Tamkeen Training and Consulting Solutions, which provides services that help Qatari women advance in the workforce. Al Ansari is a member of the MENA Business Women’s Network and a board member of Qatar’s Business Women’s Association.

Dana Al Fardan

Pictured: Dana Al Fardan. Image source: @danaalfardan.dna Instagram page.

Dana al Fardan is Qatar’s first English singer, songwriter, and music composer. She is also the Cultural Ambassador of the Qatari Philharmonic Orchestra. She wrote and composed a West End musical Broken Wings with Nadim Naaman, which was presented at Theatre Royal Haymarket in London and was sold out. For her music, al Fardan takes inspiration from classic and contemporary music as well as Middle Eastern composition.

Wafika Sultan Al Essa

Pictured: Wafika Sultan Al Essa. Image source: Firestation website. 

Wafika Sultan Al Essa is a pioneer of the Qatari art scene as her earliest work was published in the 1970s. She is also one of the first Qatari women to receive an art degree and practice art professionally. She has also received the Arab Woman Award for Best Qatari Artist.

Muna Al Bader

Pictured: Muna Al Bader. Image source: @m.celf Instagram page.

Muna Al Bader is an artist and Qatar’s art ambassador to UNESCO. She initially studied and trained to become an engineer, but pursued art after discovering her passion for it. Al Bader’s paintings feature bright colours that she uses to depict various scenes from Qatari heritage. She has won two prizes from Sotheby’s Auction House.

Mariam Mamdouh Farid

Pictured: Mariam Mamdouh Farid. Image source: @mariam_farid Instagram page. 

Mariam Mamdouh Farid is an athlete who represented Qatar in 2019 at the 17^th World Athletics Championship where she ran in the women’s 400 meters hurdles.  She has also been Qatar’s ambassador for the World Athletics Championship and she has also collaborated with the Qatar Olympic Committee.

These Qatari women have spearheaded advancements in their respective fields and inspired many Qatari women to work diligently for their aspirations. They have also paved the path for future generations to achieve their goals without any inhibitions.