(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Under the patronage of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI) will host an international conference on families and their role in societies' development. The conference will take place on 16 and 17 April 2014 at Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) under the theme 'Empowering Families, a Pathway to Development'. Commenting on the forthcoming prestigious event, Noor Al Malki Al Jehani said: "Doha Conference represents an international initiative that reflects DIFI on a regional and international level, as it brings together policy makers, NGOs, experts, academics, to discuss how families can be empowered, revisit challenges faced by families worldwide and highlight the role of effective national policies in promoting family wellbeing. We are truly honoured to host this event in Qatar." The report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations issued on December 3, 2013 has emphasized on the preparations for the celebrations of the twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family and the role played by the Doha International Family Institute at various levels in preparation for the event, referring to efforts made by the Institute, such as organizing the Middle East and North Africa regional expert group meeting entitled "Protecting the Arab family from poverty: employment, social integration, and intergenerational solidarity." The event was held in Doha in early June, 2013. The report also tackled some of the findings of the meeting: "The discussions pointed out that despite the rhetoric in support of the family in the region, family allowances as well as adequate maternity leave and childcare provisions are practically non-existent; labour market participation by women remains the lowest in the world, while the rate of unemployment among women is the highest in the world. Child marriage is prevalent, with little progress in gender equality." More than 80 prominent speakers from different parts of the world will be attending the conference to share their views and experiences regarding the centrality of the family and its role in the society. The conference aims to strengthen and empower the family as a key component of society. Focusing on the themes of confronting family poverty and social exclusion, ensuring work-family balance and advancing social integration and intergenerational solidarity, the conference will discuss family policies in the post 2015 development agenda. The Doha Conference will be organized in observance of the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, which was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1994 in recognition of the numerous contributions made by families to overall development efforts
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