Sorry, to correct my post above - I'm happy living AND working in Qatar - the exit permit - helps in work related issues.

I am treated with respect in my workplace and I presume that women in Qatar generally are. The few govt depts, I've been to, it appears to be so.

General rationale for that can be quite simple. We are rare. And being meticulous and capable, we are even more rare. But I can't say the same for EVERY job here because I don't know. And I also can't say but figure that there are who take advantage of this protectionist policies to be lazy and unethical, etc. Hope you don't meet those scumbaggettes when you get here.

Hope that helps.