Two Qatari women get place in Shura Council

Qatar’s emir named two women — Shaikha Bint Yousuf Al Jufairi and Hamda Bint Hassan Al Sulaiti — among his new appointments to the Shura Council after not one of the over 20 women candidates secured a seat in partial elections held for the first time this month.

Candidates contested 30 of the 45 seats, while the emir appoints the remaining 15 members. Neither of the women appointed by the Emir ran in the elections.

While Qatar has introduced reforms to women’s rights in recent years, including allowing women to independently get a driving licence, it has been criticised by rights groups for issues like the guardianship system.