Bahraini women's achievements praised

Manama, Jun. 24 (BNA): The Supreme Council of Women (SCW) Secretary-General Hala Al Ansari has received Egyptian parliamentary delegation, currently visiting the Kingdom. The SCW official praised the level of the bilateral cooperation in all fields, noting the Egyptian women’s progress. Al Ansari official briefed the delegation on the accomplishments of the Supreme Council of Women led by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of HM the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council of Women in empowering Bahraini women since the launch of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa reform approach. She reviewed aspects of the programmes and projects implemented by the Supreme Council of Women within the National Strategic Plan for Revival of the Bahraini Women and the quantum transformation to achieve steady progress of the Bahraini women’s status and women’s contributions in national development process. Al Ansari briefed the delegation on the national efforts to develop the legislative system and services provided to women to ensure family stability, including the issuance of the Family Law, establishment of the Family Courts, activation of the family harmonization office, issuance of the Law to Prevent Family Violence and the National Strategy for Protection of Women against family violence. Al Ansari cited the important role of the legislature in monitoring the implementation of national regulations and activating of constitutional instruments for issuance and follow up of the implementation of the necessary resolutions, pointing out the ongoing cooperation between the SCW and the Legislative Authority as part of the joint coordination committee and consultative meeting. The SCW chief cited the high ratio of Bahraini women in the decision-making echelons and women’s effective contribution in public life and political affairs. She also cited the effective presence of Bahraini women on top of the legislative pyramid – in the Shura and Representatives councils. She hailed the Royal order issued in 2016 which stipulated women’s appropriate representation in the Shura Council seats, whereas the number of Shura councilwomen reached nine women 22.5% of its total membership. Also, the number of women Members of Parliament (MPs) was three women in parliamentary seats that is 8% of the total number of MPs. The Egyptian parliamentary delegation members expressed their admiration of the Supreme Council successes spearheaded by the Council President Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and lauded the attention and appreciation accorded to the Bahraini women that reflects their presence and participation in all key positions and at all levels. The delegation praised the fast growing Bahraini-Egyptian cooperation ties, including the joint work to support Arab women issues and affirmed their continuous readiness to exchange experiences and expertise in the field of women-related legislation and to boost the cooperation with the supreme Council of Women in all arenas.