HM the King’s support vital in SCW’s progress

Manama: The support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has contributed positively in positioning the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) in the forefront of national institutions, stated Wife of His Majesty the King and SCW Chairwoman HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.

She was speaking during the signing ceremony of the MoU between the SCW and UN Women to announce the start of the preparatory work to launch the “HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women Empowerment.”

HRH Princess Sabeeka confirmed that the launch of the international edition of the award was a result of the Council’s efforts to highlight achievements that reflect the progress of women’s status at the national level. She added that the SCW has contacted UN Women to launch the award globally to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the launch of the National Edition of the award.

After the signing of the MoU, the SCW organised a press conference at its Riffa headquarters to announce the start of the preparations for the launch of the international edition of the award in partnership with UN Women. 

SCW Secretary-General Hala Al Ansari stated that a more comprehensive MoU will be signed later this year to outline the general framework of the cooperation between both entities in all areas of women empowerment.

Al Ansari explained that the opportunity to compete for the award is open to public, private and civil society institutions as well as individuals all over the world. Monetary budgets have been allocated for the award and its details will be announced at a later date showing the breakdown of the award as well as its requirements in order to ensure proper allocation of the budgets towards programmes geared to the empowerment of women, she added. 

“We welcome the coordination with the Supreme Council for Women regarding the launch of ‘HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women Empowerment’. A global award celebrating women´s empowerment will provide an opportunity to recognise and share best practices and innovative solutions to gender inequality,” said Yannick Glemarec, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Policy and Programme of UN-Women. 

“The Arab Region still has a long way to go to achieve gender equality and end gender-based discrimination. However, steps like this award, and other small and big steps taken by Arab countries to empower women make us optimistic,” stated Mohammad Naciri, UN Women Regional Director for Arab States.