Bahraini women’s strides hailed

Washington, Mar.16 (BNA): Bahraini women’s landmark strides came under the spotlight during a discussion session in Washington D.C, the USA. The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) and the Washington-based Middle East Institute co-organised the event which highlighted Bahrain’s progress in supporting women and engaging them in achieving the sustainable development goals. Addressing the session which was attended by American decision-makers, political personalities, diplomats and economic figures, SCW Secretary-General Hala Al-Ansari stressed His Majesty the King’s firm belief in the role of women as essential partners in development. She cited the royal order establishing the council, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and SCW President to integrate women’s needs in development programmes. She underlined Bahrain’s keenness on fulfilling international commitment as an active member of the world community and push towards achieving the goals of sustainable development as a map towards peace and prosperity She pointed out Bahrain's keenness to achieve the principles of justice, equality and equal opportunity for all, pointing out that 64% of university graduates are women. Citing official figures she said that women account for 53% of government jobs and 34% of the private sector. Women make 33% of private companies boards and 36% of the financial sector. The percentage commercial registers held by women topped 43%. The SCW secretary-general stressed the absence of any wage gap between women and men in Bahrain, stressing that Bahraini women's rights are constitutionally and legally protected, as well as a supportive legislative system for women that ensures equality with men. She underlined the SCW comprehensive system of governance to follow-up the implementation of equal opportunities at the national level, pointing out the National Observatory which sets indicators to monitor gender balance as an official reference to measure Bahrain’s competitiveness in the field of women at regional and international levels. The audience attending the session held the SCW-led efforts to convey the cultural image of Bahraini women to the world, especially to the decision-making circles in the United States of America and to the American public. They lauded Bahrain's pioneering achievements in supporting women and contributing actively in achieving the goals of sustainable development.