Manama, February 1 (BNA): The Kingdom of Bahrain celebrates Arab Women’s Day today amid national pride in the achievements that have strengthened the Kingdom’s respect for women’s rights and its active role in the progress and prosperity of the nation under the leadership of His Majesty the King. Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Bahraini women were able, thanks to the unlimited support of His Majesty the King, government policies, and the initiatives of the Supreme Council for Women headed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, consort of His Majesty the King, to confirm their status as reliable partners in the process of nation-building and sustainable development.
Bahrain, with the follow-up of the Supreme Council for Women and in partnership between the executive, legislative and judicial authorities, has ratified more than 150 royal orders, laws, legislative amendments, ministerial decisions and circulars during the past two decades.
This legal support has greatly contributed to the protection and promotion of women’s rights. It includes, in particular, Family Law No. 19 of 2017, Law No. 17 of 2015 on protection from domestic violence, and other legislation developed in accordance with the Constitution and international covenants, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). which the Kingdom joined in 2002.
This modern legislative system has contributed to ensuring family stability, deepening family cohesion, integrating women’s needs in development in line with the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women (2013-2022), and consolidating justice through the establishment of a separate building for family courts in January 2018, which includes halls Courts, a family reconciliation office, services and an alimony fund office.
Bahraini women have actively participated in enriching democratic life since their participation in the preparation and adoption of the National Action Charter, and the exercise of their political rights as a voter and candidate in the parliamentary and municipal elections since 2002.
Women won 15% of the seats in the House of Representatives (the lower chamber of the bicameral parliament) and 23% in the Majlis al-Shura (the upper chamber). The Speaker of the House of Representatives is a woman and the Second Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council. Women represent 23% of municipal council members and 12% of judges.
The contribution of Bahraini women to the labor market has increased to 43% of the total national workforce, and 47% of business owners thanks to the support and encouragement of the Supreme Council for Women and its distinguished initiatives such as the launch of the Bahraini Women’s Capacity Project. Sports Development Center.
Other initiatives include creating financial portfolios to finance commercial and investment activities for women, honoring excellence for Bahraini businesswomen, establishing and organizing a national committee to follow up on the national model by integrating women’s needs into the government’s action plan, and • forming about 53 equal opportunities committees in the government sector, and 20 committees In the private sector, 18 committees in civil society.
The percentage of women in the government sector increased to 55%, in executive positions to 46%, and in specialized positions to 62%.
Women were also on the front lines of the Bahrain team led by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with a representation of 75% of the members facing the pandemic. They also played a particularly active role in the “Together for the Safety of Bahrain” campaign launched by the Supreme Council for Women and in the “Your Remote Adviser” program that was introduced to ensure the continuity of providing psychological, family, legal and economic counseling to the Council.