Doha, April 21 (QNA) - As Qatar advances its digital transformation, opening new horizons for growth and development, Qatari women have assumed an active and influential role in driving technological progress. Supported by a conducive environment enshrined in the Constitution, which guarantees equality in education and employment, they have confidently entered the technology sector, making notable contributions to the ICT field.

As the world marks International Girls in ICT Day, observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April, statistics underscore the significant progress made by Qatari women in technology, a sector that has become increasingly vital globally.

A key indicator of this progress is the academic excellence of Qatari women, who account for nearly 70 percent of graduates in information systems, computer engineering, science, medicine, and pharmacy, according to official statistics.

At the Web Summit hosted by Qatar in 2025, women-founded startups accounted for 47 percent of participating companies, marking an increase of more than 50 percent compared to the previous year. Web Summit Qatar 2026 also dedicated significant space to showcasing the success stories of female entrepreneurs and digital innovation.

This qualitative leap in the participation of Qatari women in scientific and digital fields has been driven by sustained state support and constitutional principles that uphold equality and equal opportunity. It is further anchored in Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to build a more capable and modern state responsive to the demands of sustainable development.

Dr. Dena Ahmed Al-Thani, Associate Professor at the College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, attributed the strong presence of Qatari women in the digital transformation to advanced digital infrastructure and significant investment in education.

She noted that Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development has played a pivotal role through its schools and universities by fostering academic environments that support women's excellence in STEM fields.

She added that the Qatari model goes beyond opening opportunities, focusing instead on building an integrated ecosystem that ensures sustained participation and enables women to contribute effectively to the knowledge-based economy, reflected in their growing presence in leadership roles in information technology.

She further noted that participation by Qatari women in technology and digital fields is steadily increasing, with female students accounting for around 40 percent of enrollments in computing and electrical engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, an indicator of a growing shift in interest, supported by strong academic performance and a clear focus on research and innovation.

She stressed that boosting girls' participation in ICT is not only a matter of equality, but a strategic necessity, as diverse teams produce more inclusive and innovative solutions.

Dr. Dena Al-Thani said Qatar is committed to building a sustainable knowledge-based economy by harnessing all human capital, including female talent, noting that the growing number of Qatari women studying computing and ICT fields reflects their ability to excel when supported by an enabling environment.

She added that Qatar National Vision 2030 provides the overarching framework guiding this sector, with its human development pillar placing women at the center of progress and emphasizing their empowerment, particularly in technology fields.

Dr Dena Ahmed Al-Thani, Associate Professor in Information and Computing Technology at the College of Science and Engineering of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, said economic development requires a shift towards a knowledge and innovation-based economy supported by qualified national talent, including women.

She said ongoing national investment in artificial intelligence and digital transformation was creating "real opportunities" for women to contribute to major national projects, from healthcare to smart infrastructure, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Dr Al-Thani added that the national vision had gone beyond policy, describing it as a "practical driver" that has reshaped classrooms and the technology and research landscape in Qatar.

Separately, Dr Raian Ali, UNESCO Chair in Digital Technologies and Human Behavior at Qatar Foundation, said the organization has played a significant role in supporting women's participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

He said initiatives such as open days, academic programs, and student awards had helped highlight female achievement, noting that women students had secured a significant share of academic distinctions.

Dr Ali also pointed to research initiatives supported by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council aimed at promoting gender equality and social inclusion in digital spaces, including efforts to reduce discriminatory online content.

Meanwhile, Dr Mustafa Aqeel of Qatar University said the strong presence of Qatari women in technology fields reflected their persistence and ambition, as well as the country's legal and policy framework supporting women's participation.

He said Qatar's progress in digital and knowledge sectors could not be separated from broader national strategies that have enabled women to play a visible role in education, research and development.

The academics said increased participation of women in technology would not only support equality but also strengthen innovation and sustainable development in the country. (QNA)