Women and the Community " international conference kicks off

Manama, Apr. 19 (BNA): Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), deputised SCW Vice President Dr. Shaikha Mariam bint Hassan Al Khalifa to open "Women and the Community" international conference held at the Royal University for Women (RUW) campus on April 19 and 20. SCW Secretary General Hala Al Ansari gave a speech in which she stressed Bahrain's right to be proud of its achievements in women empowerment, pointing out success of Bahraini women to take up leading posts at local, regional and international level. She emphasised the ability of Bahraini women to walk the path of success, pointing out the establishment of the first regular school for girls in Bahrain in 1928, participation in the municipal elections in the 1930's, acceding the nursing field in 1941 and playing an effective role in the civil society as early as 1950. Al Ansari also asserted that setting up SCW reflects keenness to achieve full partnership for Bahraini women and cater for their needs and aspirations. She affirmed the council's success to safeguard women's rights and boost their role in nation building ever since its establishment. On his part, RUW President Professor Mazin Juma'a paid tribute to HRH Princess Sabeeka for patronising the conference and for her unrelenting efforts to support Bahraini women and empower them. He described the conference as an opportunity to learn about GCC, Arab and foreign experiences in women empowerment. He also considered the conference as a platform to spotlight woman-related issues.