AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- U.S and Qatari Service members attended a bilateral Women, Peace and Security Leadership Seminar for the first time in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 25-29.
The seminar included over 60 women from the U.S and Qatari Military Police, Qatar Emiri Air Force and civil service, spanning over five days focusing on a wide-range of leadership topics.
“It was inspiring to be a part of the first WPS leadership seminar in Qatar,” said Senior Master Sgt. Angela Gonzales, 379th Expeditionary Air Base Group first sergeant. “I was able to interact with a diverse group of women, some of which were among the first females to join the Qatari Armed Forces when military service opened to women in 2018. These women are making history and I was honored to advance the lines of effort of the U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security leveraging my own 19 years of active duty service made possible by a long history of women serving before me.”
The WPS leadership seminar provided an opportunity for its attendees to exchange insights and perspectives on their respective journeys in the military, particularly focusing on the challenges and triumphs faced by women in traditionally male-dominated career fields. Additionally, members of the U.S. Army and Air Force provided briefings on the roles and relationship between officers and noncommissioned officers, communication, and building effective teams.
“I was able to facilitate a conversation about the mindset, ideas and principals of NCOs that serve as the backbone of our forces,” Gonzales stated. “The strength and leadership of NCOs in the United States Armed Forces is world renowned and the tactics and techniques used to train enlisted leaders are highly sought after by other nations. It is important to establish the connection to the mission and relationship between the NCO and the Officer to illustrate how we are stronger and more effective when we work together.”
In a significant stride towards gender equality and diversity, the Qatari Armed Forces made headlines back in 2018 when they announced the acceptance of female service members. This decision marked a pivotal moment in the country's military history, breaking barriers in what was traditionally a male-dominated domain. Now, in 2024, this move has not only opened doors for women but has also paved the way for cross-cultural exchanges and shared experiences with international partners.
“I learned the Qatari Military has made significant strides in advancing women in their ranks in a short period of time and are eager to improve leadership skills of their female members,” Gonzales shared. “I also observed that the majority of the women participating were excited to have conversations and share ideas.”
By being able to participate in this milestone event, U.S. service member can continue to highlight the importance of diversity within armed forces, emphasizing that a blend of