• “Participation of young girls refines their abilities.” – Prof. Sheikha Al Misnad.
• “The Women Forum is marked by distinct pools of female participants.” – Zainab Al Mahmoud.
• “Mutual collaboration between Qatar Youth Hostels and Azizia Girls Center in Kashta.” – Wajeida Al Qahtani.

DOHA, QATAR – HE Prof. Sheikha Al Misnad, former president of Qatar University, stressed on the importance of the participation of Qatari young women in the various activities to enhance their awareness. The programs and initiatives by different organizations in Qatar aimed at refining their scientific and practical capabilities, positively impacting their lives.

Coinciding with the celebration of International Women ‘s Day (IWD), the premier Women’s Forum, organized by Qatar Youth Hostels (QYH) on Wednesday evening, was attended by more than 60 women of different ages. Participants exchanged experiences, discussed the newly established strategies and POVs of youth hostels and addressed the youth-related activity and program scheme during the coming period.

Pleased with the potential of Qatar Youth Hostels, Prof. Al Misnad accentuated the importance of its core values that encompass cooperation, work, humility and tolerance, representing the entrenched values of the Qatari society. She further stated that her participation aimed at increasing female participants, and young women in particular, thanks to the positive impact on their social and practical lives, while lauding the role of Qatari women in the service of their communities.

Prof. Al Misnad stated that her participation aimed at increasing female participants, and young women in particular, thanks to the positive impact on their social and practical lives, lauding the role of Qatari women in the service of their communities.

“The Women’s Forum is marked by distinct pools of female participants; valuable expertise and thoughts are exchanged on the future aspirations and ambitions of young women, mostly embodied in rational social values in Qatar,” said Zainab Al Mahmoud, Director of Development and Community Partnership in Qatar Youth Hostels. She indicated that the proposals addressed in the Premier Women Forum, were all so constructive and appreciated that they would be implemented to meet the aspirations of Qatari young women. She also denoted that the Forum amended the wrong concept of youth hostels, misunderstood by women with respect to female participation and involvement in the different activities organized by the hostels. She also elucidated that the hostel’s activity vision and mission met the aspirations of Qatari young women, and women in general, for undertaking a leading role in the shaping of their society

“All female participants held a slogan that read Get Out of Darkness, Put on the Dress of Right and Present a Candle to the World, materializing an ambitious vision that we aim to deeply root in young women to be more giving and to better understand their community role,” added Al Mahmoud.

“We are establishing a mutual collaboration between Qatar Youth Hostels and Azizia Girls Center in Kashta with respect to their different activities for reciprocal communication and integration,’ said Wajeida Al Qahtani, Director of Al Azizia Girls Center.

Amal Abdul Malik, an author and journalist, commented on the activities of the forum, indicating that through the Forum, she could for the first time closely recognize the activities of youth hostels, lauding the endeavors exerted by their officers. She commented that the distinct initiatives addressed by the Forum embodied the weight of female participation and involvement in constructing the society.

Abdul Malik hoped that the discussions and initiatives addressed during the Forum would get implemented, and that Qatari young women would participate in and take advantage of the proposed activities, rendering true-to-life humane, developing and social contributions that further enhance Qatar among other nations.

“Effectiveness is an indispensable step in establishing social awareness of the importance of young women’s participation in general,” said Dr. Fatima Abu Ras, a life skills instructor. She denoted that such forums result in promoting the Qatari woman’s awareness of her entity, regardless of the constructive initiatives and discussions that potentially qualify young women to lead and excel.

“The Forum materializes the awareness of youth hostels’ officers, including the exchange of experience and discussion of young women’s special interests,” said Wadiha Naser Al Gabr, a youth entrepreneur and organizer of Wjdani Aseel (I’m a sentimental authentic) Campaign. She commended the exchange of experience among various female participants on promoting the activities of Qatar Youth Hostels, meeting the aspirations of Qatari youth, which is a leading and distinct role to handle.

“The coming days will see a collaboration between Wjdani Aseel campaign and Qatar Youth Hostels in terms of the Qatari youth oriented programs that are likely to support their qualification and upgrade their capabilities to serve our country,” Al Gabr added.

Aisha Al Hajri, a Community Service and External Relationship Specialist in Community College of Qatar, indicated that she supports the idea of the forum, which is a core basis of community partnership with various educational organizations. She praised the initiatives rendered by Qatar Youth Hostels through its strategy that targets enhancing and refining competent Qatari young women and giving them the opportunity to discover the world, beside its endeavors to promote their awareness capacity.

Halima Al Azekwi, Relationship and Marketing Officer in Qatar Youth Hostels, explained, “Youth hostels activities are mostly confined to young people; therefore, we have decided to invite both women and girls for participating in QYH activities. They are entitled to creating their own initiatives and provide assistance to highlight the image of an educated and civilized Qatari woman, while simultaneously conserving her customs and traditions.”.

“We are currently in a brainstorming state, seeking the views of female participants for the most effective activities that women in particular are concerned of, and through which their capabilities and culture can be demonstrated. Consequently, we wanted to hold this very first forum with an important group of Qatari women to talk with them and introduce the activities, objectives and mission of youth hostels to them, while simultaneously giving them an opportunity to put forward their suggestions and ideas,” added Al Azekwi. She further commented that this was an introductory Forum to facilitate periodical and regular communication with female members. Additionally, a new group of women will be scheduled in every meeting not only to be introduced to the activities, but to organise all the events, as well.

Al Azekwi also pointed out that the QYH events involve a variety of programs, primarily including internal and external travel tours, value promotion and participation in charitable and volunteer work. Besides, a Cultural Café will be set, where female members are brought together each time with a woman leader in a specific community, entrepreneurship or volunteering domain to learn from her experience.