Qatar
Middle East

Women’s Rights in Qatar: Freedom or the Golden Cage?

Behind the glamor of luxury, women in Qatar face tight control under male guardianship laws. From travel bans to restricted rights, their freedom is a facade. Activists are speaking out - will the world listen?

Alexandra Audrey Tompson

Dec 20, 2024 - 2:15 PM

The Illusion of Privilege

In Qatar, the image of women’s lives often appears glamorous, with privileges like free coffee and skipping lines, as promoted by influencers such as Aisha. At first glance, these perks might seem like a refreshing change from the declining acts of chivalry in the West. However, beneath this surface lies a more troubling reality.

Women's rights in Qatar are still heavily restricted by male guardianship laws, based on a conservative interpretation of Islam. Women under 25 need permission from a male guardian to travel, and these permissions can be revoked at any time. Even married women can face travel bans imposed by their husbands, often finding out only when they try to board a flight.

Stories of Resistance

For some women, the gilded cage becomes unbearable, prompting daring escapes to seek freedom. Activist Noof Al-Maadeed’s story is a chilling example. After escaping to the UK and gaining asylum, she returned to Qatar, assured of protection. Shortly after, she vanished, reportedly detained or worse.

Similarly, Aisha Al-Qahtani fled her influential family and now warns of the propaganda concealing Qatar’s systemic oppression of women. “Behind the glitz and glamour, there is a dark side,” Aisha asserts. “It’s important for the world to see the real image of women in Qatar.”

The Legal Shackles of Patriarchy

Qatar’s Family Law enforces the subjugation of women in various ways, including:

  • Requiring a woman to seek her male guardian's permission to marry.
  • Legally binding a woman to obey her husband once married, with any disobedience, such as working or traveling without his consent, risking the loss of financial support.
  • Denying mothers the right to act as primary guardians in custody cases, even when they are the ones caring for their children.
  • Granting sons preferential treatment in inheritance, while daughters are given less.
  • Valuing a woman’s testimony in court at half the legal weight of a man’s.

These examples reflect a legal system that doesn’t just limit women’s movement but deeply infiltrates their daily lives, stripping away both autonomy and dignity.

International Incidents

In 2020, Qatar made global headlines for the forced invasive examinations of 18 women, including 13 Australians, at Doha Airport. The incident, stemming from the search for the mother of an abandoned baby, was condemned internationally. For Aisha Al-Qahtani, this wasn’t surprising. “It reflects a pattern of abuse toward women,” she remarked.

A Desperate Aspiration for Freedom

For many women in Qatar, the ultimate aspiration is to escape to places where they can live with dignity and freedom. While society bestows upon them the title of "Sheikha," symbolizing nobility, they often find themselves confined to roles that demand obedience and submission.

The question remains: Is a woman in Qatar a cherished symbol of protection, or is she a silent rebel, desperate for freedom?

Alexandra Audrey Tompson

Editor-in-Chief | Lawyer (Admitted in New York; England & Wales)

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