HM King receives SCW President

Manama, Nov. 28 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa asserted Bahrain's resolve to go ahead with boosting justice and equality by empowering and supporting women. He stressed that Bahraini women have always been up to the responsibility entrusted with them, commending their patriotic stances and achievements which confirm Bahrain's leading status in various areas. HM the King was speaking as he received at Sakhir Palace today Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), as well as SCW members. HM King Hamad congratulated the new members on their appointment and on the fifteenth anniversary of the council. He also praised the efforts of HRH Princess Sabeeka in promoting the civilizational image of Bahraini women through quantum initiatives launched by the council over 15 years. HM the King hailed the unrelenting institutional work of SCW in following up on the implementation of the national women empowerment scheme and boosting the role of Bahraini women in the kingdom's development march which clearly contributed to integrating their needs and ensuring equal opportunities for them. He also praised concerted efforts by the judicial, executive and legislative branches in backing the council's march and upgrading legislation aimed at serving the interest of Bahraini women. HM King Hamad affirmed the need to project the experiences of Bahraini women in international gatherings to highlight the civilizational image of Bahrain and the richness of its quantum accomplishments. He also lauded substantial contribution of Bahraini women to various sectors like education, health, the judiciary and police. He praised the nearly 100-year presence of Bahraini women in many fields, including mainly education, which, he said, is a source of pride with their percentage exceeding 60% in higher education. HRH Princess Sabeeka thanked HM the King for his unlimited support and belief in the Bahraini women's capabilities to work side by side with men for the best interest of the nation and its development. She also paid tribute to HM the King for his substantial support to the council and the national women empowerment plan, congratulating him on the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)'s award. HRH Princess Sabeeka lauded Bahrain's efforts to boost the culture of entrepreneurship among women and the youth, thanking HM the King for his order to allocate a comprehensive complex for family courts so as to preserve the specificity of Bahraini families during litigation and provide the needed legal and guidance services. She presented HM the King with a book on SCW march over 15 years as well as a commemorative gift which is a poem by Shaikha Shaikha bint Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.