P.O. Box 23264 Doha Qatar ‫ الدوحة قطر‬23264 :‫ب‬.

‫ص‬
T +974 4995343 + 974 4995343 :‫تلفون‬
+ 974 4995352 :‫فاكس‬
F +974 4995352
Supreme Council of Information & Communication Technology ‫المجلس األعلى لالتصاالت و تكنولوجيا المعلومات‬

Dr. Hessa Al Jaber Remarks

Advancing Arab Women in Technology Leadership Workshop
April 15, 2009
Millenium Hotel, Doha

Good morning. Please accept my warmest welcome to Doha.

I am delighted to be with you for the second Advancing Arab Women in Technology
Leadership Workshop. The mission of creating a Center for Women in Technology in
the Middle East is very close to my heart. Information and Communication
Technologies serve as undeniable equalizers for women and can empower them to
take control of their future.

We all recognize that ICT fosters education, promotes workforce development, and
encourages entrepreneurship among women.

This is important to me because as a professional woman, and as a mother of two

bright girls, I know it is vital that women are prepared to lead in all aspects of society.
With a quality education, equal access to opportunities and hard work, there is nothing
a woman cannot achieve. From leading companies to leading countries, everything
becomes possible.

We are fortunate to be living now, in a time when women have far more rights. Very
few of our mothers could control their destiny the way we can and our daughters will.

But it would be premature to say that women have complete equality. Especially here
in the Arab world. We have many inspirational women leaders to challenge us to
dream big and drive change. But for too many, their dreams still seem impossible. ICT
can, and I believe will, change that.

www.ict.gov.qa
 P.O. Box 23264 Doha Qatar
T +974 4995343
F +974 4995352
Supreme Council of Information & Communication Technology
‫ الدوحة قطر‬23264 :‫ب‬.‫ص‬
+ 974 4995343 :‫تلفون‬
+ 974 4995352 :‫فاكس‬
‫المجلس األعلى لالتصاالت و تكنولوجيا المعلومات‬

To a greater degree almost every day, ICT empowers us. It enables us. It connects us
to one another, to government and to media. It connects us to social causes, to
universities, to businesses worldwide. Because of ICT, women can actively
participate in every sphere of life, if we choose. Because of ICT, we can change our
countries, and the world, if we choose.

And indeed, all of us in this room believe that women must choose to be a part. We
need to play an active role in shaping our region’s economic, social, and political
future.

This means that girls and women must strive to obtain the skills and knowledge
necessary for leadership in all sectors of a knowledge economy. And I hope more
women explore careers in ICT. How can we expect women to fully benefit from
technology when there are so few of us at the table making decisions right now? We
need to be policy makers, regulators and system developers. We need to be sure our
voices are not just heard, but listened to.

ictQATAR is very involved in the major education reform in this country. We are
finding ways for students, parents and teachers to be more connected and introducing
pioneering programs in our schools that allow students to excel in new ways. We give
boys and girls equal access and equal opportunity to succeed.

Education goes beyond classroom walls though. Another priority for ictQATAR is to
promote e-literacy among women, especially those not working. We deepen
computer proficiency through ICDL, the world’s largest purveyor of computer skills
certification. Last year we provided training for over five hundred non-working
women.

www.ict.gov.qa
 P.O. Box 23264 Doha Qatar
T +974 4995343
F +974 4995352
Supreme Council of Information & Communication Technology
‫ الدوحة قطر‬23264 :‫ب‬.‫ص‬
+ 974 4995343 :‫تلفون‬
+ 974 4995352 :‫فاكس‬
‫المجلس األعلى لالتصاالت و تكنولوجيا المعلومات‬

At ictQATAR we are working to connect women to the technologies that will enrich
their lives and inspire confidence in their future.

We also know it is important for women to have the confidence to start their own
businesses and have the tools to succeed. ictQATAR is working closely with small
and medium sized businesses across the country to help them realize the value of
incorporating ICT into their business plans. I am encouraged by the growing number
of women leading these businesses here in Qatar and fully expect the numbers to keep
growing.

I am proud of ictQATAR’s accomplishments so far and am committed to do even

more to help women in this country experience the power of technology. We look
forward to working with the Center for Women and Technology in the Arab Women
to advance our goals. The Center will be a beacon of light for all women in the region.
It provides hope. It certainly will provide opportunity.

And most importantly, it will help women in the region determine their future.
Technology is breaking down barriers and women are eagerly jumping through the
newly opened doors.

As Mahatma Gandhi said “we must be the change we wish to see.” You all are the
change that will make the world an even better place for women.

I thank you for your time and look forward to the fascinating two days ahead. Again,
welcome to Qatar.

www.ict.gov.qa