Violence against women in Qatari Society

Abstract

This study is the first of its kind using field and documentary research sources. While official sources on the subject have proven the limitations of such data, the study uses a field survey of a sample of 2,787 women students at Qatar University representing 4.4% of Qatari females aged 15–64 and 0.4% of non-Qatari females in the same age group. The study provides important indices and conclusions, e.g., a substantial percentage of the participants have experienced violence, with most violence occurring within the family, from family males such as brothers, fathers, or husbands. It also shows that some women were subjected to violence during childhood and adolescence. The study points to the lack of legislation and official organizations to protect women from violence and suggests ways and means of dealing with the problem in Qatari society.