A recent colloquium held at the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) explored ‘Women and Work: Changing Legal Norms and Practices.’ Held in conjunction with the Qatar Financial Centre, the session brought together leading workplace experts to share unique insights into the topic. 

Dr. Susan L. Karamanian, College of Law dean, chaired the discussion with speakers including Ms. Luigia Ingianni, Commissioner of the Employment Standards Office at the Qatar Financial Centre; Mr. Houtan Homayounpour, Head of the International Labour Organization Project Office in Qatar; Ms. Donatella Cungi, Partner, Toffoletto De Luca Tamajo and Member of the International Bar Association Diversity and Equality Committee; Mr. Mohamed Mahgoub, Lead Researcher, Doha International Family Institute; and Dr. Asmaa Alfadala, Director, Research and Content Development, World Innovation Summit for Education. 

Panelists exchanged views while collectively examining how the role of women in the workplace is evolving.

Speaking about the event, Dr. Karamanian said: “The colloquium on women in the workplace is one of the platforms for the college to promote a broader understanding of issues that affect our society and impact our daily lives. We were pleased to welcome leaders who shared their insights on the topic, mainly from the legal perspective but also with a focus on best practices. We were keen to have as broad an engagement as possible, and we learned a great deal from participants who offered their own perspectives and workplace experiences.”

During the open forum that followed the panel discussion, professionals and entrepreneurs shared their personal experiences in the workplace, the predominant obstacles faced on the path to success and how to overcome these challenges. 

Ms. Ingianni said: “At the QFC we strongly believe that gender balance is essential to achieving sustainable economic growth. We are committed to implementing legislation and policies to ensure inclusion and diversity to foster the important role of all women at the QFC, who account for 40 percent of our entire workforce. To increase awareness on this important topic, we spearhead socially-conscious initiatives and collaborate with local and international stakeholders to bring forward some of the most pressing challenges that women face today. Through our partnership with HBKU, which highlights the role of women in the workforce, we aim to promote gender balance and help reach a greater number of people who can influence change within their organisations and communities.”

The College of Law offers multidisciplinary programs to graduate students, equipping them with the skills to navigate complex civil, common and Sharia law systems. The college regularly hosts local and international events, bringing together leading experts to shed light on topical issues relating to law among the wider community.