Qatar

Located on the coast of the Arabian peninsula and surrounded by the Persian Gulf, Qatar is an oil-rich country with one of the fastest growing economies in the world. A monarchy controlled by the Al Thani family, Qatar's government rules by religious law, with councils of leading citizens. While the constitution bans discrimination against women, law and social customs restrict women's rights and freedoms. Sharià, or Islamic law, gives men some controls over women.

In education and the workforce, Qatar women experience some equality. Women have equal access to education, although it can be harder for them to travel abroad for college, as their movement can be limited without male escorts. Women comprise 26 percent of the national workforce, primarily in teaching, health, and government sectors. ...