Shaikha bint Yousuf Al-Jufairi: The concerns of Qataris are the concerns of the Shura Council

In 2004 Shaikha bint Yousuf Al-Jufairi made history by being the first woman to win a seat at the Qatari Central Municipal Council (CMC) elections: the first woman to do so in any of the GCC countries. Impressing voters, she went on to win a seat at the next five CMC elections and was elected chair of the council's legal committee – she holds a law degree from Cairo University.

Last October, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani appointed 15 members to the new Shura Council (also known as the Consultative Assembly), among them two women, Shaikha bint Yousuf Al-Jufairi and Hamida Bint Hassan Bin Abdul Rahman al-Sleiti.

These appointed members joined the 30 elected members who had won seats in the first legislative election in Qatar’s history which took place on 2 October 2021. This was almost 17 years after the enactment of Qatar's first permanent constitution.

Born and raised in Barahat Al Jufairi near Souq Waqif in Doha, Shaikha bint Yousuf Al-Jufairi worked as a librarian after leaving secondary school and later obtained a law degree. She was then appointed as an administrative and financial inspector before securing employment at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education where she rose through the ranks. She has received a number of awards from local, regional and international institutions and figures, throughout her career.

Al-Jufairi spoke to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister publication about her experiences.

"For the first time in the history of the Shura Council in our country, citizens - both male and female - can vote and stand in free and direct elections to choose two thirds of the Shura Council"

How do you describe membership in the Shura Council (Consultative Assembly)? And how does it differ from work in the municipal council?

The main bulk of the CMC's work is providing the citizens with services and focussing on constituency issues. The Shura Council is concerned with the country as a whole, and has broad responsibilities, like working on legislation and monitoring the government's performance, in the light of the growing aspirations of Qataris, who hope the council will ensure pledges made in candidate's electoral programmes are stuck to.

Why is it important that Qataris participated in direct elections for the first time in the country?

For the first time in the history of the Shura Council in our country, citizens – both male and female – can vote and stand in free and direct elections to choose two-thirds of the Shura Council's members. This public participation has opened a space for discussions within society – everyone was following these conversations and listening to candidates talk about their programmes.

Social media was full of news on the elections, which enriched the dialogue and increased political awareness, and got young people interested in issues to do with the homeland in general. We can use this experience, the fairness and transparency of which was clear to all observers, as a basis in which to ground future experiences.

What are your priorities while in the Shura Council?

My priorities are living up to the role the Emir has trusted me with and meeting the demands of Qatari citizens as far as possible. My programme is to do everything in my power which serve Qatar and its citizens, and listen to their issues and requests – this is also very much the focus of Chairman Hassan bin Abdullah Al-Ghanim and the Vice President Hamda bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti.

No doubt you followed the candidate election campaigns. What was the most prominent issue raised that you think the Shura Council must devote significant attention to?

The most prominent issue is the welfare of the young and the elderly and improving living conditions, by improving the laws on retirement and salaries and by localising jobs and ensuring there are employment opportunities for all young people. Factors that will help the council succeed in this will be abiding by council regulations, cooperation between our members, prioritising Qatar's national interests, and looking after citizens' interests.

"The most prominent issue is the welfare of the young and the elderly and improving living conditions, by improving the laws on retirement and salaries and by localising jobs and ensuring there are employment opportunities for all young people"

Moreover, communication with voters is critical for building popular participation and the council should engage with different media platforms. Of course, also essential to the council's success is the unlimited support of the Emir.

Do you believe the Shura Council has been successful in gaining the trust of the public and meeting their demands?

The great majority put great trust in the council members, who are striving to meet their demands, but inevitably not everyone feels the same. However, without a doubt, the council has gained the trust of most Qataris, who appreciate and realise what the council's jurisdiction is, its limitations and its tasks, and distinguish between the Shura and Municipal Council roles. The Shura Council is not there to provide municipal services for towns and regions – it is concerned with the advancement of the country as a whole, legislation and oversight, and achieving justice, security and stability.

How do you explain the failure of all female candidates for the Shura Council elections until now, bearing in mind that you won a big majority in every round of CMC elections?

For the CMC, after the first round, I managed to win the trust of voters which led to my winning in five further elections for the CMC. However, numerous reasons exist for the failure of female candidates to win any seats in the first Shura Council elections. Firstly there is the negative stereotype some have of women, who they don't think can balance the demands of sitting on the council with family duties.

Some candidates have preferred to take to social media to push their campaigns, as the hashtag 'Qatari Shura Council Election' has been trending on Twitter #انتخابات_مجلس_الشورى_القطريhttps://t.co/ZkT0mJft0m

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) September 24, 2021

Some also believe that communicating with male council representatives will be easier – they feel embarrassed at the idea of talking to a woman in this position. Many women themselves are also reluctant to support female candidates, for various reasons, and some don’t approve of women appearing in the media as they think of it as going against their customs. 

Do you think the Shura Council's electoral laws should be amended to improve women’s chances of winning seats?

The issue is not the electoral law, as the law allows an equal opportunity for both men and women to take part. I don't believe that allocating seats to women in a quota system will advantage women either – people's opinions differ on how democratic and fair the quota system is in any case.

Moreover, when it was decided that a third of Shura Council members would be appointed, as is the case today, female members were appointed – four women were appointed to the last Shura Council. This time, I was appointed alongside my colleague Hamida Hassan Al-Sleiti, who enjoys high regard among council members which is why they chose her as deputy to the chairman.

"Numerous reasons exist for the failure of female candidates to win any seats in the first Shura Council elections. Firstly there is the negative stereotype some have of women, who they don't think can balance the demands of sitting on the council with family duties"

How do you see the Shura Council's performance after more than three months since it was elected? And does it have its finger on the pulse of the street?

Three months in a legislative term isn’t long enough to make a judgement on a council's performance. The council is still trying to establish its internal regulations and bylaws, and have them approved as well as set forth an organisational and functional structure to institutionalise the work and performance of the council.

The views of ordinary citizens and residents remain one of the council's main concerns and it is determined to improve its performance in this area. Moreover, the council won't achieve its tasks if it sets itself apart from the street. Because in essence, the Shura Council is based on participation and communication between the council and the public.

And for the first time, the council has a general secretariat, headed by General Secretary Ahmad Bin Nasser Al Fadala which will work to complement the elected council whose legislative and monitoring tasks are extended. The council is currently witnessing diligent work to complete the extensions to its buildings, halls and other facilities and complete its organisational structure and staff.

You undoubtedly follow social networking sites – what do you think about the issues raised concerning the performance of the Council, alongside demands it engages with the more pressing issues which are affecting citizens?

I already spoke about the fact that the chair of the council and other council members are prioritising citizens' concerns as promised in their manifestos. However, what is absent is a mechanism by which citizens can engage with the steps the council is taking to discuss these issues further, and make decisions on them in accordance with its constitutional powers.

The council has bodies to conduct study and research, including the five permanent committees that study all draft laws, decrees, proposals and public discussions, and it submits its reports for discussion in the council’s general sessions. The committees require data from government agencies and may invite ministers and officials to attend their meetings, which requires some time.

Moreover passing laws is not simple – time is needed to review all related legislation and make sure new laws are in sync with past legislation.

This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition. To read the original article click here.

Translated by Rose Chacko   

This article is taken from our Arabic sister publication, Al-Araby Al Jadeed and mirrors the source's original editorial guidelines and reporting policies. Any requests for correction or comment will be forwarded to the original authors and editors.

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