In the wake of the Arab Spring, women are speaking for the region, according to H.E. Sheikha Alya Bint Ahmed Bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations. “We saw how women were the voices of the Arab Spring process in the Arab world,” she said.

Raised in a diplomatic family and educated abroad, Thani said she felt an obligation to pursue a diplomatic career and be a positive influence to other Qatari women after working with her own role model.

“My real role model of this region was Sheikha Mozah [bint Nasser al-Missned], the former first lady of Qatar. I had the privilege of working with her and for her for a couple of years. She inspired me and many others. She kind of broke the barrier,” Thani said.

Thani has tried to break barriers herself by focusing on previously ignored issues. “One of the most dear assignments to my heart was years ago when I served in New York as a diplomat. I was able to acknowledge the important developmental disorder of autism. In the past, autism was not given the right attention,” she said. Changing this perception in Qatar and on the international stage has been gratifying for the New York-based diplomat. She added, “I have been meeting people in the street and when we talk and they realize I’m from Qatar and that I was involved, they say, ‘You have affected our lives. We have a child with autism.’ This was really my most dear achievement.”