HRH Princess Sabeeka patronises forum on women's health, safety

Manama, Apr. 4 (BNA): Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), the International Forum on Women’s Health and Safety kicked off here today, in the presence of the Oil Minister and Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) Board of Directors Chairman, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and the SCW Secretary-General, Hala Al-Ansari. During the opening session of the two-day event, organised by the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA), in cooperation with Bapco and the SCW, in conjunction with the World Health Day, Oil Minister delivered a speech in which extended sincere thanks and gratitude to HRH Princess Sabeeka for patronising the ambitious world event. He asserted that Bapco, in line with its support for the SCW’s role and efforts to carry on implementing the National Plan for the Bahraini Women’s Advancement in partnership with all state department, has developed a six-point institutional framework for the Perfect Health Programme aimed at improving women’s life in the fields of health and occupational safety in the work environment. The six criteria include commitment to safety, effective activity, healthy food, social networking, serious participation and achievement of institutional objectives, he said, noting that they aim to ensure the overall development of the workforce, support integrated health care policies and to promote initiatives on women's participation and capacity development. The minister called on the public and private sectors to adopt Bapco’s initiative as a national model for women-supporting health and safety practices so as to improve their life quality and enhance their participation in the national economy, in line with the principles of the Constitution which stipulates that the "State guarantees reconciling the duties of women towards the family with their work in society." Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa announced the establishment of an Equal Opportunities Unit at Bapco, with a mandate to develop regulations, criteria and plans that ensure the implementation of the equal opportunities principle and achieve the full integration of women’s needs in the company.  In a statement on the sidelines of the event, SCW Secretary-General, Hala Al-Ansari praised Bapco’s initiative to host the key forum which, she said, directly supports one of the fields of the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, noting that women’s health is one of the SCW’s major priorities, within its plans to achieve the quality of life for Bahraini women. She pointed out that interest in women’s health would increase their capabilities and ensure the sustainability of their professional careers at all levels, which will entitle them to be partners in a sustainable and competitive society. Al-Ansari expressed thanks and appreciation to the Oil Minister for setting up an Equal Opportunities Unit at Bapco, noting that the move will ensure the implementation of the equal opportunities principles and integrate women’s needs at the company. The SCW’s secretary-general extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, on the discovery of the largest oil field in Bahrain since 1932, noting that the exploit was the fruitful outcome of HM the King’s directives. She stressed that the landmark oil find will provide more promising opportunities for men and women, and support the SCW’s policies on increasing women’s presence in industrial and specialised sectors, especially oil and gas.