In a first, two women appointed municipality director-generals

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued a royal decree appointing two Bahraini women as the director-generals of the Capital Municipality and the Northern Municipality respectively.

Shawqiya Ibrahim Humaidan and Lamia Yousef Al Fadhala have become the first women to assume this position in the history of the Kingdom. They will be responsible for promoting municipal work in the governorates. The appointment of two women in senior administrative positions in the field of municipal work is a great step towards the empowerment of women in the Kingdom, which already has 40 per cent women presence in the leadership and decision-making wings of the executive authority.

The Kingdom has a woman minister and many women undersecretaries and assistant undersecretaries. The participation of women in the legislative authority is 15pc. There also a good number of women holding key judicial posts including the Constitutional Court and Supreme Judicial Council in addition to public prosecution. Bahrain has also produced many women diplomats. Speaking to Tribune, Ms Shawqiya thanked His Majesty for appointing her to a prominent position.

“I am also thankful to HRH the Premier, HRH the Crown Prince and HRH Princess Sabeeka for constantly promoting the role of women in this country.”

She said Bahraini women always were the first achievers when compared to the women of other Gulf countries. “The appointment will definitely serve an impetus to Bahraini women who are all set to accomplish greater goals in the days to come.”