Bahrain helps Saudi Arabia integrate women in nation-building and development

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has started transferring its approach of promoting gender balance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Supreme Council for Women (SCW) Secretary-General Hala, Al Ansari.

The step was announced amid Saudi keen interest in promoting the status of women and enhancing their integration into public affairs and the labour market as well as their contribution to development. The Saudi Institute of Public Administration (IPA) has recently unveiled a plan to set a centre for promoting gender balance in Saudi Arabia.

In this regard, the Saudi Institute of Public Administration extended an invitation to the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) to provide an overview of Bahrain’s national gender balance model.

Al Ansari made the statement during a forum which was held by the Gender Balance Centre, an offset of the Institute of Public Administration, under the theme “Bahrain’s Approach for Women’s Advancement and Gender Balance”.

The two sides are set to sign a memorandum of understanding in this regard.

An SCW delegation led by Al Ansari took part in the seminar, in the presence of IPA Director-General Dr Bandar bin Asa’ad Al Sajan and Gender Balance Director-General Dr Sara Jaza Mesfar Al Otaibi.

Other Saudi officials and experts specialised in public administration, gender balance and follow-up of the implementation of the 2030 Saudi Vision also participated in the forum.

The SCW delegation addressed the event, shedding light on Bahrain’s multi-phased approach of promoting the status of women and achieving gender balance.

Al Ansari stressed the importance of cooperation to exchange expertise between the two countries to further integrate women in reform and modernisation projects and enhance their contribution to development.

She underlined Bahrain’s strides since the establishment, 20 years ago, of the SCW, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King.