Saad A. Al-Kharji, Executive Director of the Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), has highlighted the significant impact Qatari women are making in the country’s labor market, attributing their growing influence to national empowerment strategies, robust education, and increased participation across diverse professional sectors.

Al-Kharji described Qatari women as a “growing force in the labor market,” citing their expanding representation in leadership positions across both government and private sectors. Women are now active contributors in fields such as education, healthcare, finance, entrepreneurship, and are making notable strides in engineering and technology—areas traditionally dominated by men.

He emphasized that this shift results from a deliberate national vision and forward-thinking leadership committed to education and the advancement of women’s careers. Strong legislative frameworks and human capital development initiatives support these objectives, recognizing that women’s empowerment is both an issue of equity and a strategic investment in Qatar’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy.

Al-Kharji also underscored QCDC’s commitment to nurturing young women’s career ambitions. Through a range of programs, QCDC helps students identify their career interests and make informed decisions about their futures. The most recent edition of QCDC’s Career Guide features inspiring stories of Qatari women excelling across various sectors.

He noted that Qatar has established a progressive legal and institutional environment, enabling greater female participation in the workforce. Key milestones include Qatar being the first GCC state to appoint women judges; currently, women comprise over 48% of the Supreme Judicial Council’s workforce and hold 69% of leadership roles in judicial administration. Furthermore, Qatar led efforts at the United Nations to establish the International Day of Women Judges and boasts that over 72% of national university graduates in 2024 are women—well above the global average.

According to Al-Kharji, these measures reflect a comprehensive approach to women’s empowerment. The formation of the National Committee for Women, Children, the Elderly, and Persons with Disabilities in 2019 further demonstrates the state’s commitment to equity.

Despite women’s excellence in education, Al-Kharji acknowledged ongoing challenges in workforce representation. While women make up more than 70% of higher education students, this achievement is not yet mirrored in labor market participation. ILO data from 2024 indicates that labor force participation is 95.6% for men and 63.3% for women—a historic high for female participation, but still indicating a gap.

He identified factors such as societal expectations, limited sectoral opportunities, and a lack of early career guidance as key contributors to this disparity. Al-Kharji stressed the critical role of career development initiatives in broadening career horizons and providing role models.

Social and cultural norms, family expectations, and the presence of visible female role models greatly influence career choices. Sectors like education, healthcare, and administration, which are seen as stable and compatible with family life, continue to attract the majority of young women, while fields such as engineering or cybersecurity see less female participation due to fewer visible role models.

To counteract these trends, QCDC offers immersive programs—such as Career Village and My Career – My Future—to expand students’ awareness of emerging industries. Al-Kharji called for a comprehensive national strategy encompassing enhanced workplace policies, capacity building in high-growth sectors, and early, consistent career guidance.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of investing in women’s skills within technology, energy, and innovation fields. Career guidance should start early and continue throughout the educational journey, ensuring that young women acquire the skills, confidence, and resources needed to contribute to Qatar’s ongoing development.

Finally, Al-Kharji noted the pivotal role that families play in supporting the career aspirations of young women. He encouraged families to stay informed about new opportunities and to rely on credible resources, such as QCDC, to support their daughters’ ambitions.

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