Qatari Women: Engagement and Empowerment
Jocelyn Mitchell, Christina Paschyn, Kirsten Pike, Tanya Kane
Ahoud Hamad Al-Thani, Alanood Al-Thani, Al Dana Al-Mesnad, Hind Hassan Alansari, Najlaa Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Nayla Al-Thani, Noor Khalifa Al-Tamimi, Reem Al-Kuwari, Reem Zubaidi, Sama Abduljawad, Tamador Al-Sulaiti, Sara Al-Thani, Alya Al Harthy, Rawda Al Thani & Muneera Al Thani
Collaborating Institutions and Faculty: Qatar University and Justin J. Gengler, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and Sadia Mir
Funding: Qatar National Research Fund Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP)
This project aims to understand the drivers and obstacles of women’s empowerment in Qatar. It studies Qatari women directly through quantitative (survey) and qualitative (participant-observation ethnographic and audiovisual) methods, focusing in particular on female participation in “women’s gatherings” (majlis al-hareem) and its links to outward engagement.
In addition to scientific evidence that will fill a crucial gap in the social science literature, the audiovisual methodology of this project will provide context and nuance beyond the written word. Working with faculty mentors, students will produce a documentary film and a museum installation that are intended to engage large segments of Qatari and Arab society which is increasingly visually oriented. These audiovisual components will provide a powerful outreach to the global community through film and art festivals. This project will offer an alternative narrative to the outside world’s stereotypes and myths of women in the region. Further, it aligns with Qatar’s national vision and development goals for the economic and social empowerment of its female citizens.
Selected papers and presentations
Mitchell, J.S. (2014, November). Majalis Al-Hareem in Qatar: Sites of Social and Political Engagement. Poster session presented at the Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference, Doha, Qatar. Received the 1st Place Research Excellence Award in the Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities pillar.
Al Khulaifi, N. and Al Thani, N. (2014, November). Female Engagement and Participation in the Arabian Peninsula: Majlis Al-Hareem in Qatar. Paper presented at the meeting of the Middle East Studies Association, Washington, D.C.
Kane, T. (2015, February). What Do You Mean by Informed Consent? Introducing a Foreign Construct to a Traditional Setting. Paper presented at the Liberal Arts International Conference, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
Mitchell, J.S., and Paschyn, C. (2015, February) Qatari Women and Majalis Al-Hareem: Heritage in a Globalized World. Paper presented at the Liberal Arts International Conference, Texas A&M University at Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
Gengler, J.J., and Mitchell, J.S. (2015, March) Understanding Within-Group DIF in Survey Response: Evidence from Three Surveys in Qatar. Paper presented at the World Association for Public Opinion Research regional conference, Doha, Qatar.
Mitchell, J.S., Paschyn, C., Pike, K., and Gengler, J.J. (2015, March) Qatari Women: Political and Social Engagement via Majalis Al-Hareem. Paper presented at the World Association for Public Opinion Research regional conference, Doha, Qatar.
Paschyn, C., Mir, S., and Mitchell, J.S. (2015, March) Qatari Women and the Knowledge Economy: Complex Professional and Personal Choices. Paper presented at the second Gulf Studies Symposium, Center for Gulf Studies at the American University of Kuwait.
Mitchell, J.S., Paschyn, C., Pike, K., Kane, T., and Mir, S. (2015, April) Majlis Al-Hareem in Qatar. Presentation at the Qatar Faculty Forum, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
Mitchell, J.S., Paschyn, C., Mir, S., Pike, K., and Kane, T. (2015, May) In Majaalis Al-Hareem: The Complex Professional and Personal Choices of Qatari Women. Paper presented at the Doha International Family Institute Annual Conference on Family Research and Policy, Doha, Qatar. Received the Best Paper Award for the Role of State Policies on Family Formation and Stability pillar.
Abduljawad, S. and Al-Mazroei, R. (2015, May) Her Majlis. Presentation at the Northwestern University in Qatar Student Showcase, Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Evanston, IL.