Qatar is struggling to boost women’s participation in the local economy, according to an official report.

The country’s Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics has issued an update on how it is meeting a range of development targets for 2015 set by the United Nations.

While Qatar has achieved many of the goals, the report said, it still faces challenges in encouraging women to play a more active role in the economy – despite having made progress in leveling the playing field for boys and girls in terms of access to education.

“Even though the parity rate between the two sexes is 1.75 the economic participation of Qatari women in labour markets is still low and poses a challenge,” the report said.

Involvement of women in political activity also remains low. “The advocacy of Qatari women’s political participation poses another challenge which requires the development of a plan to promote woman’s representation in the elected national councils in the next phase,” the report notes.

Currently, only one woman sits on the 29-member Central Municipal Council, reported Doha News on Monday. Just five females are running in next month’s election alongside 125 men.