The State of Qatar has participated in the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the Swiss city of Geneva.

Qatar was represented by Minister of Social Development and Family H E Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad.

Speaking at a high-level event on ‘Promoting and Protecting the Human Rights of Women and Children in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations’, held on the sidelines of the session the Minister stressed the importance of this event, which seeks to mobilize efforts for joint action to promote and protect the human rights of women and children in conflict and post-conflict situations.

In this context, Her Excellency cited the speech of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, before the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, when H H said:

“The international community bears responsibility for the consequences of what is happening to the brotherly Palestinian people who are subjected to unfolding genocidal war that has resulted, so far, in the death of more than 41,000 martyrs, let alone the missing under the rubble, including 17,000 children, 11,000 women and 100,000 wounded including thousands of disabled and millions of people who were forcibly displaced several times.”

The Minister of Social Development and Family also stressed the importance of the urgent humanitarian challenges facing our world today. In this regard, Her Excellency spoke about the painful reality experienced by families in conflict zones, stressing that thousands of children, women, the elderly and people with disabilities have lost their basic rights to security, dignity and peace.

She also noted Qatar’s keenness to adopt the approach of preventive diplomacy and effective multilateral dialogue, as the country has made great efforts to reunite families from Ukraine to ensure that children are reunited with their families and protected, and has taken all appropriate measures to avoid family separation and to restore family contacts by providing information and facilitating efforts to search for missing persons.

Al Misnad called on the international community to shoulder its humanitarian responsibilities and work to build a future of permanent peace and justice.

She pointed out the importance of the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family stressing that the family is the cornerstone of building stable and prosperous societies, and to protect families from the factors of disintegration surrounding them.

The Minister noted the commitment of Qatar and other countries to the joint pledge entitled Human Rights 75 “The Family Pledge” that was presented last year, which enhances support and protection for the family as the true and permanent wealth of nations.

Al Misnad stressed the pioneering role of Qatar in enhancing family stability and protecting it from threats, whether those resulting from conflicts, the effects of modern technology, or social and economic transformations. 

She said that Qatar is committed to continuing its approach that places the family at the heart of development and humanitarian efforts, in accordance with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Regarding the serious repercussions of crises on certain segments of societies, the Minister stressed that women and children suffer the most during armed conflicts, as they bear the brunt of serious violations that include killing, maiming, kidnapping and sexual violence, as well as recruitment into armed forces.

She said that the destruction of infrastructure and the spread of mines and unexploded ordnance further complicate the situation, which necessitates prosecuting those responsible for these crimes.

Al-Misnad noted that more than two decades have passed since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, expressing her regret at the low participation of women in peace processes despite the international efforts made.

In this context, she stressed Qatar's commitment to enhancing the role of women in preventing and resolving conflicts, referring to the initiatives launched by the state in conflict zones, such as the "Women in Conflict Zones" initiative launched by Qatar in September 2022. This initiative calls for providing greater protection for women and involving them in all aspects of peacebuilding processes.

Her Excellency also stressed that Qatar will continue its cooperation with international partners to enhance the protection of the rights of women and children, and ensure their effective participation in rebuilding societies after conflicts.

The Minister said that any effort to resolve conflicts and address their root causes will not be successful without engaging all affected parties, especially women. 

She said in this regard, "Women are active, but unfortunately they are often seen as victims. Our mission is to enable them to play their roles in making, building, and maintaining peace and security."

At the end of her speech, the Minister called on the international community to unite efforts and work in a spirit of cooperation to build a peaceful future, with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, especially in conflict zones.

On the sidelines of the 57th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Minister of Social Development and Family H E Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met with Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity H E Dr. Maya Morsi.

During the meeting, the aspects and opportunities for joint cooperation between the two brotherly countries were reviewed, as well as ways to enhance and develop them, in addition to discussing joint international initiatives, especially with regard to enhancing the roles of persons with disabilities and women, and a number of topics of common interest.

Minister of Social Development and Family also met with the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights H E Nada Al-Nashif.

During the meeting, the cooperation relations between Qatar and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the field of developing and improving services provided to persons with disabilities and ways to enhance them through technical, skill and economic empowerment were reviewed.

For her part, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights lauded the efforts of Qatar to promote the rights of persons with disabilities and support their development roles, in addition to the efforts and initiatives of the country in the field of protecting women in conflict areas and enhancing their participation in all aspects of life.

Minister of Social Development and Family, participated on the sidelines of the event in the opening of an associated exhibition on Qatar’s progress in promoting human rights and protecting and respecting the family at the national, regional and international levels.

The exhibition highlights the roles of the Ministry of Social Development and Family, which focuses its efforts and various initiatives on empowering different groups in society, including children, youth, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

The MSDF also aims to achieve social justice and enhance family stability. The Ministry works to provide comprehensive social services and support the Qatari family in facing social and economic challenges, with a focus on building a cohesive and sustainable society that enhances social values ​​and achieves sustainable development. 

It is also keen to enhance sustainable social and family development at the regional and global levels.