The human rights violations against women in Qatar
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Raven Ruma
- . November 29, 2022
- . Update: November 29, 2022 8:44 pm
A system that is extremely patriarchal is supported by Qatari legislation. Sex before marriage is forbidden, and Qatari women can only get married with a man’s blessing.
The ability of women to study, drive, and travel is likewise influenced by this divisive system of male guardianship. Men have an unassailable right to divorce, but women have fewer legal grounds for doing so. Wives are expected to follow their husbands’ orders and prioritise taking care of the home.
Unlike men, women cannot pass on their nationality to their offspring, nor can they be the primary caregiver for their children in the event of a divorce or the passing of their husband. Beneficiaries who are women only receive half of what their brothers inherit.
To receive antenatal care and sexual health services, women are required to show proof of marriage. Additionally, they are subject to a rigid dress code.
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Importantly, rape and domestic violence are not considered crimes. While reporting them is discouraged because it is thought to inflict disgrace onto the family, family law prohibits moral or physical attack by husbands against women.
There may be hazards for any woman attending the World Cup, given the lack of punishment for domestic abuse and the victim-blaming around sexual assault. According to research, women are more likely to be sexually assaulted at important sporting events.
According to reports, many women have already decided against visiting Qatar for the World Cup due to the increased risk. This in itself is discriminatory.
People are encouraged to adhere to a rigorous dress code if they do travel to Doha. It’s unclear what Fifa’s stance is on this. It indicates that spectators can dress whichever they like as long as they respect local regulations. In Qatar, women are supposed to cover up when in public. They must avoid wearing tight clothing and cover their shoulders, knees, and cleavage; breaking these rules can result in jail time or fines.
Strict prohibitions barring partnerships outside of marriage are also covered in official travel advice given by the UK government. There are numerous instances of visitors being punishment after being caught breaking these rules.
A Mexican world cup official reported being sexually assaulted in June 2021. As a result, rather than being perceived as a victim of sexual assault, she was accused of engaging in extramarital sex, which is prohibited by Qatari law. She received a threat of imprisonment and 100 lashes for this.
The laws governing human rights are directly violated by this treatment of women. Any compromise of women’s rights is completely prohibited under international human rights standards, according to the United Nations and the European Convention on Human Rights.
In the past 25 years, there has been a significant improvement in women’s rights all over the world, not least in the world of football. The success of the England women’s team in winning the European Cup has helped women’s football significantly in recent years.
