HM King commends Bahraini women’s strides

Manama, Mar. 20 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa received today, at Al-Sakhir Palace, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, wife of HM the King and Supreme Council for Women (SCW) President, who submitted to HM the King the final report on the work of the National Committee, which was tasked to monitor the implementation of the national model on incorporating women’s needs in the Government Action Plan (GAP). HM the King was updated about results of the work of the national panel which was set up by virtue of a royal order issued in 2011. HRH Princess Sabeeka, head of the committee, briefed the HM the King on the strides achieved so far as part of the national model requirements to incorporate women’s needs in the GPA scheme, regarding national policies and legislations, general state budget and the establishment of committees in charge of promoting gender equal opportunities in all governmental institutions. HM the King hailed the dedicated efforts of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, praising her pivotal role in laying the foundations for women’s sustainable participation. He hailed the Supreme Council for Women which strove, ever since it was established in 2001, to buttress national efforts, commending all state establishments for their cooperation with the panel to assume its full role. He stressed the importance of adopting the SCW recommendations, citing the establishment of a good governance system to assess the equal opportunity applications and measure women-related indicators in all fields. He stressed the importance of the Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa Global Award for Women Empowerment, adding that the prize proves that Bahrain’s model has gained maturity and revealed Bahrain’s efforts to the world. "The award is evidence that Bahrain has moved beyond conventional care and empowerment, engaging women as an active player in bolstering her country’s competitiveness in all development areas", he said. HM the King commended the establishment of the National Observatory to monitor gender indicators and reflect Bahraini women’s decades-long dedicated efforts and landmark achievements. He paid tribute to women, hailing their noble and dedicated role, whether at work or within their families, being the safety valve of the community, hailing their strides which earned them high-profile leading roles in all sectors of work. HM the King stressed keenness on further promoting the status of Bahraini women, saying that all doors remain open for wider participation in all arenas and fields. HRH Princess Sabeeka paid tribute to HM the King for supporting the SCW work since its inception, hailing royal directives to empower Bahrain women, saying that the national model had been adopted by international organisations, including the United Nations. She underlined Bahrain’s landmark success in narrowing the gender gap in all important fields, particularly health, education and social affairs, reiterating the SCW determination to continue the endeavor which is being carried out by national competences. HRH Princess Sabeeka presented to HM the King the initial version of the national report on gender balance, a report on the establishment of the national observatory on gender indicators and the electronic application which showcases women-related national statistics, carried out by the council in cooperation with the First Deputy Premier Office.