Authors : Asma Al-Attiyah and Ramzi Nasser
Abstract: This study investigates Qatari women’s perceptions of their rights regarding educational, economic, social, cultural, civil and fundamental freedoms on the basis of sex. Here, the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women was used to develop an instrument to measure women’s perceptions. This study also measures perceptions of the barriers to those rights. The statistically significant findings suggest that women believe they have rights across educational, economic, social, cultural, civil and fundamental freedoms on the basis of sex. Women also feel that these rights are limited because of lack of knowledge of these rights, their desire to preserve social status and the current behavioral structure that perpetuate the public and perceived social role of women. This study is the first empirical study in Qatar that finds that women’s beliefs about their rights far exceed the level and entitlements they currently are disposed to. National policy makers need to place strategies in place to integrate women in all aspects of economic, educational, social, cultural, civil and fundamental freedoms on equitable basis of the globalized world.
Asma Al-Attiyah and Ramzi Nasser, 2014. Qatari Women’s Perceived Rights in Light of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The Social Sciences, 9: 91-97.