HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Cahir and other officials with the graduates at the reception.

HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani honoured graduates of the Centre for Development and Population Activities (Cedpa) Global Women in Management Programme (Gwim) at a reception held in Doha this week.

This event marked the end of a two-week workshop, run by Plan International USA in partnership with ExxonMobil, which provided intensive training and skills development for women community leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The event was attended by a number of prominent community and business leaders.  

ExxonMobil has supported the Cedpa Gwim programme for 10 years, providing intensive training and skills development for more than 700 women globally.  More than 190 women from several Middle Eastern countries participated in the workshop – including 19 from Qatar.  

The intensive training workshop is designed to prepare women leaders from non-profit organisations and civil society to assume increased leadership, responsibility and accountability and is intended to bolster skills in project and financial management, fundraising and proposal development, strategic communication, advocacy and women’s economic empowerment programme design and delivery.

This year’s programme, which began on October 26, was held for the first time in Doha, and had the participation of 17 women.

Bart Cahir, president and general manager for ExxonMobil Qatar spoke at the event, acknowledging Sheikha Hind’s support for Gwim.

“At ExxonMobil Qatar, we believe that human potential is at the root of every successful economy – it encourages individuals to be greater achievers, and also to become better members of the community.  

“Programmes such as Gwim also meet the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 – particularly its Human Development Pillar, which endeavours to enhance women’s capabilities and empower them to fully participate in the economic and political spheres of society.”

Gwim responds to the call for interventions that advance women in the economy and give women greater control over economic resources that impact the health and development of their families, communities and nations. The programme trains women who are already involved in their communities and helps them to improve and expand their efforts.