Following this, as it's been all over the news here in Qatar. I moved here last year and am surprised to see some generalised negatively towards Qatar.
I love living here, along with huge numbers of British Expats, many of whom have been here for many, many years.
It is not an apartheid state for women. In my experience, women are treated very respectfully and are afforded their rights.
The biggest difference I feel living here is that I feel more free and safe. I'm not planning my routes or worrying about my safety on a night out, for example. I will walk out at any time without clutching my keys between my fingers, I don't have to have that constant, low level dread in the back of my mind. I don't worry so much about the safety of my children.
This realisation really set in during a midnight stroll on a secluded beach a few months in. I was free to enjoy the sea and the sky without worrying about who was lurking in the shadows. This is when I actually realised that I fear the danger posed by other people more than naturally occurring dangers.
What I can't do here is wear tiny shorts to the mall. As a couple, we can't be physically intimate in public, they don't want their children witnessing this - fair enough. Society here is very family centred and things are designed with children in mind, I'm happy to forgo the above to respect local customs because the welcome my children receive wherever we go is invaluable. There is a huge amount in terms of arts, cultural activities etc both for grown-ups and for families.
What I'm trying to express is that there are so many good points to society here, people are so friendly and keen to help.
I am adding balance to what has been said. I've enjoyed being removed from the bubble of UK news and finding out more about the world.