QU-CED hosts lecture on ‘Development Theory and the Role of Women’

DOHA: The Psychological Sciences Department at Qatar University College of Education (QU-CED) hosted a lecture on “Development Theory and the Role of Women” by H E Lulwah Al Khater, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in commemoration of the International Women’s Day.

The lecture was attended by QU Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies, Prof Mariam Al Maadeed, CED Dean Dr Ahmed Al Emadi, and CED Department of Psychological Sciences Head Dr Asma Al Attiyah, as well as CED faculty, staff and around 100 students.

Lulwah Al Khater noted that sustainable development is a process that entails positive outcomes. She highlighted the United Nations’ (UN) definitions of economic, human and sustainable development and the development epistemological roots.

She also provided an overview of the institutionalisation of development theory through the establishment of the UN in 1945, the Unesco in 1946, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1965, the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000, the UN Women in 2010, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Post 2015.

Lulwah Al Khater mentioned the sustainable development goals which include no poverty; no hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice and strong institutions; and partnerships for the goals. She also pointed to the development theories and global standards and to the universality versus locality of international standards.

She also noted that Qatar has been ranked 33rd in Human Development in 2017. “The Human Development Index is a composite index that includes education, health, gender equality, human security and other indicators”, she said.

Lulwah Al Khater highlighted the conventions and measures to achieve women development such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1979, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, the Gender Development Index and the Gender Empowerment Measure in 1995, and the Gender Inequality Index in 2010.

The audience actively participated in a Q&A session with Lulwah Al Khater following her address, seeking responses on issues related to women rights in the world of business, the role of women in higher administration levels, the challenges that women face in the diplomatic field, and more.