Qatar Condemns Violence Against Women at UN

Geneva: Qatar has taken a firm public stand against all forms of violence targeting women and girls. The State called such acts grave human rights violations and direct assaults on human dignity. Qatar delivered this position at the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The statement carries special weight this session. The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, presented a dedicated report on violence against mothers. Her report specifically focuses on the causes and consequences of this form of abuse.

Qatar's Statement at the UN Human Rights Council

Abdulrahman Sultan Al Marzouqi delivered Qatar's statement at the session. He serves as Second Secretary at Qatar's Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva. The interactive dialogue took place under Agenda Item 3 of the 62nd session.

Al Marzouqi made Qatar's position clear from the outset. Qatar categorically rejects all forms of violence against women and girls, including violence against mothers. He stressed that such violence does not only harm individual women. It damages families and wider society. It actively undermines efforts toward equality and sustainable development.

Qatar's Domestic Protections for Women

Qatar did not limit its statement to condemnation alone. Al Marzouqi highlighted the concrete steps Qatar continues to take at home. Qatar keeps strengthening its legal and institutional framework to protect and empower women. The state ensures mothers have access to health, social and psychological support services.

Qatar's labour law offers specific protections for working women. It bans employment in hazardous or health-damaging occupations for women. The law also guarantees paid maternity leave. Women with at least one year of service receive 50 days of full paid maternity leave. At least 35 of those days must follow delivery. Mothers also receive a paid one-hour daily lactation break for one year after returning to work. Employers cannot terminate a woman's contract due to marriage, pregnancy, or maternity leave.

Qatar's labour framework also prohibits gender-based pay discrimination. Article 93 of the Labour Law mandates equal pay for equal work regardless of gender.

Concern Over Conflict Zones: Palestine and Sudan

Qatar used the Geneva platform to voice alarm over women in active conflict zones. Al Marzouqi expressed deep concern over grave violations of mothers' fundamental rights in conflict areas. He specifically named Palestine and Sudan as regions of acute concern.

This echoes broader positions Qatar has maintained consistently. Qatar has previously called for accountability for violations against women and children in conflict. In October 2025, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a Qatar-led resolution on protecting women and children in conflict zones. Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Dr Hind Abdulrahman Al Muftah, presented that resolution. It highlighted the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and children and the need to strengthen existing protection mechanisms.

Sudan also featured separately in Qatar's engagement at the 62nd session. Earlier this month, Al Marzouqi reaffirmed Qatar's deep concern over the ongoing conflict's humanitarian consequences. He called for accountability and an end to impunity for violations committed during the war.

Who Is the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women

Reem Alsalem holds the role of UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences. She has held this position since August 2021. Alsalem is a Jordanian expert on gender issues, refugee rights, transitional justice and humanitarian response. She holds advanced degrees from the American University in Cairo and the University of Oxford.

The 62nd session's report presented by Alsalem specifically examines violence against mothers. Her mandate covers investigating the causes and consequences of violence against women and girls worldwide and reporting findings to the Human Rights Council.

Qatar's Consistent Stance at the Human Rights Council

Qatar has consistently raised women's rights at the Human Rights Council across multiple sessions. At the 56th session in June 2024, Qatar reiterated its unwavering stance in support of enhancing the rights of women and girls grounded in equality, justice and fairness. Qatar has also co-signed declarations at the 57th session alongside 134 countries calling for enforcement of laws that criminalise violations of women and children in armed conflict.

Qatar serves as a current member of the UN Human Rights Council. The country uses this platform actively to raise human rights concerns spanning domestic policy and international conflict situations.

Why This Matters

Violence against women and girls remains a global crisis. The UN Special Rapporteur's focus on mothers this session draws attention to a form of violence that remains significantly underreported and underaddressed within legal frameworks worldwide.

Qatar's statement at Geneva signals the country's commitment to keeping this issue on the international agenda. The call to address violations in Palestine and Sudan also pushes the Human Rights Council to ensure that conflict-zone accountability remains a priority alongside domestic legal reform.