DOHA: Some Qatari women are demanding that the conditions for land allotment to nationals be changed and divorcees should be entitled to free plots of land for housing without waiting for five years.
According to present rules, Qatari women who are divorced must wait for five years after the break-up of their marriage to be eligible to apply for a plot of land for housing.
The women say the rule is being misused by some officials to make delays in the allotment of land to women. Some applicants have been waiting for years on end without any allotment.
“Qatari women are in a good condition socially and economically as compared to other countries but we should admit that in some aspects they are unable to get full rights. This is especially true of divorcees and widows,” said Fatima Al Kuwari.
Al Kuwari told local Arabic daily Al Arab in remarks published yesterday: “Qatari divorcees and widows are being deprived of some rights that they should be given on priority basis.
“They are having problems in getting plots of land for housing and home loans. I know some of them are facing this problem for the past eight years,” she added.
Another privilege for state women employees is housing allowance. This allowance is given only to male employees not to female ones. Some neighbouring countries like Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) should be taken as role models that are granting housing plot of lands and loans with the issuance of divorce verdict from court and immediately after death of husbands.
However, Al Kuwari did not demand equality in salaries with men saying that her male colleagues have more responsibilities. They have to spend on their families.
Criticizing the terms and conditions for the allotment of land for housing and home loans she said it is not fair. What will happen if a divorcee aged 60 is asked to wait for five years? If she dies before allotment, so would her children get this land?
There are some women who applied for land for housing and home loans but they did not get it even after eight years. It is clear, officials concerned are playing game.
Prominent psychologist, Dr Mawza Al Maliki is of the view that Qatari law is pretty fair and does not discriminate against male and female. “But the problem is with those who are authorised to implement the law,” said Al Maliki. “There are some senior officials (directors and heads of the departments) who put hindrance in the way of implementation of the law creating difficulties for women to get their rights,” said added. She also demanded for a law to take action against those officials.
The Peninsula
