Domestic Violence Awareness month to be marked

Manama, Oct. 18 (BNA): A special event highlighting Bahrain’s recent achievements and gains will be highlighted on Monday. The event is hosted at the Movenpick Hotel at 10:45 am by Women’s Crisis Care International (WCCI) and American Women’s Association (AWA) in honour of Domestic Violence Awareness month (October). According to the United Nations, 603 million women live in nations where domestic violence is not criminalised. The women of Bahrain, however, are not included in this statistic since domestic violence against women is considered a crime in the kingdom since August 7, 2015. “WCCI and AWA acknowledge with great esteem the ratification and issuance of Law 17/2015 on the protection from domestic violence by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, a landmark law, which posits Bahrain, as one of the only Gulf countries to specifically outlaw domestic violence,” they said in a statement. “WCCI and AWA also acknowledge the Supreme Council of Women’s (SCW) affirmation that it will launch the ‘National Strategy for the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence’ on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25.” Bahrain has long been a leader among the Gulf nations in terms of securing gender equality. Women in Bahrain were among the first to be educated, own businesses and enter the workforce. The 1973 Penal Code formally criminalised rape and sexual assault long before other Gulf nations. Since the establishment of the SCW in 2001 Bahraini women’s ascension to full parity with men has skyrocketed, with many Bahraini women making historic accomplishments across all fields and sectors, from finance and banking to education, health and sports. After the appointment of Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa as ambassador in 1999 (Shaikha Haya later became the third woman ever to chair a session of the UN General Assembly), more women have been appointed ambassadors. Women also boosted their participation in the political sphere, serving in the Shura Council and as government ministers. The year 2015 has seen the international success of several Bahraini female athletes, including Dana Al Binghadeer Al Dossary’s entry into the World Elite Club as the first female Arabian rider,the participation of 10-year old Alzain Tareq at the FNA games in Kazan, Russia; and the success of the female Bahraini bowling team at the 3rd Arab Women’s Bowling Championships. “WCCI and AWA applaud the achievements of Bahraini women and girls and looks forward to supporting their future empowerment and success, which will be celebrated on the Ninth annual Bahraini Women’s Day on December 1.”