Bahraini women empowered

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Thanks to the royal initiatives to support their progress and status at all levels, Bahraini women continue to attain remarkable achievements at home and abroad.

All efforts under the constant patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also strengthen their role as dependable partners in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s progress and development.

Yesterday, Bahrain celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) under the leadership of its President, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King.

It marked years of enhancing the Council’s national achievements in supporting the progress of Bahraini women and their active role in building the family and society, as well as advancing the comprehensive development process on the basis of justice, equality and equal partnership.

Through HM the King’s lofty will and insightful vision, the Council has succeeded in consolidating women’s exercise of their constitutional rights as a worthy partners in decision-making, and the nation’s political, economic and social renaissance.

The solid support of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in partnership with the legislative, executive and judicial authorities, has enabled the SCW to contribute to the issuance of more than a hundred royal decrees, legislative amendments, ministerial decisions, and administrative circulars to protect the rights of women, the family and children, in accordance with the constitution and international standards.

In terms of political participation, the Bahraini women have exercised their rights to take part in the parliamentary and municipal elections for five terms.

They succeeded in winning five seats in the legislative authority, and 23 per cent of the municipal councils and the Capital Secretariat in 2018.

It also saw the achievement of Fawzia bint Abdullah Zainal as the Representatives Council Speaker. Another milestone is the 12 per cent representation of Bahraini women as judges, prosecutors and members of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Judicial Council, as well as its contributions to the development of civil society institutions and the establishment of a large number of women’s NGOs, and its pivotal role in enriching the media, culture and intellectual renaissance.

In the economic and social field, the Council has taken pioneering initiatives to integrate women’s active participation in the development process. They make up 55 per cent in the government workforce and 35 per cent in the private sector. About 47 per cent of them are entrepreneurs.

The Kingdom ranked first globally as the fastest growth rate of women’s participation in nation-building, according to the 2016 World Bank report, and in the secondary and higher education enrollment indicators in the Davos 2018 report.

In the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Bahraini women have efficiently performed their national duties as front-liners.

On the regional and international arenas, the Council has strengthened the presence of Bahraini women, and affirmed their eligibility to assume the highest international positions, which culminated in their presidency of the United Nations General Assembly in 2006, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, and membership in the UN Women’s Committee.