NT Bureau
Doha: News Trail organised a panel discussion in association with Dr Hamid Leila Medical Center & Autism Parents Platform on ‘Equality: The Path Ahead’, as part of Inspire 2024, an event held to had a diverse and multi-ethnic audience, and the panelists also came from different backgrounds, and experiences which added more value to the table.
Representatives of leading women’s organisations in Qatar and invited guests attended the event.
The panelists were Dilraz Kunnummal (Moderator) Author, PR & Communication Professional; Aisha Al Amari, Partner & Co-Founder of Autism Parents Platform; Joseph John, Program Editor, Al Jazeera English; Idayat (Olajumoke) Ogunlade, Founder @Hidayah Entrepreneur/Black Excellence Award and Yusra Diab, Managing Director of Dr. Leila H. Medical Center and founder of Sora’s Rescue Treasury.
The panel discussed their individual and collective experiences to explore how far women have come, and the discussion focused on what is needed to build an equal and equitable future.
The panel also stressed on the importance of raising boys to be equal partners who are comfortable breaking away from patriarchy, while also empowering daughters to take ownership of their own lives. They discussed on how men have to be equal partners even at home, for managing the house, childcare and more and how both men and women need to combine in efforts to build a better future.
Dilraz Kunnummal said: “It was my honour and privilege to be the moderator for a much-needed discussion on Equality – the Path Forward. It is not a topic that you only talk on a big stage like this but it is important that you teach your kids and have a regular conversation so that they grow with that in mind. You should put efforts in putting the message that changes the mindset of people rather than giving them a rose on women’s day”
“I believe that what should be said out loud is that we should stop judging each other as humans, especially women, and start supporting each other and appreciate each other and acknowledge that we are different human beings and when we cross paths, we have to show support and kindness and together we are stronger forever and the only way to move would be forward”. saidAisha Al Amari.
“Equality has two aspects. Equality in opportunity and equality in responsibility. While strides are being made in equality in professional opportunities, I want to focus on equality in responsibility on the home front. Women bear a disproportionate share of household responsibilities. This in turn limits the mindspace available to pursue professional advancement, which in turn makes women run into the glass ceiling. In contrast, many men are able to devote their mindspace exclusively to professional advancement, since their involvement in household planning and decison-making is limited,” said Joseph John.
“In celebrating International Women’s Day 2024, let us not only honour the achievements of women past and present, but also commit ourselves to impacting lives, supporting each other to grow, shaping a future where every woman’s voice is heard, her rights respected, and her potential unleashed in the remaining 364 days,” said Idayat (Olajumoke) ogunlade.
