Information Minister hails Bahraini women’s achievements

Manama, Nov. 30 (BNA): Information Affairs Minister, Bahrain Institute of Political Development (BIPD) Board of Trustees’ Chairman Ali bin Mohammed Al-Romaihi, hailed Bahraini women’s landmark stridesin the prosperous reform era, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. He extended deepest congratulations to Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) and to Bahraini women in all walks of life, marking the annual Bahraini Women’s Day, which falls on the 1st of December. Themed “Bahrain women in the fields of higher education and future sciences", the 2,19 edition is being celebrated as Bahrain gears up to celebrating the national days. He valued Bahraini women's competent exercise of their constitutional rights on the basis of justice, equality and equal opportunities in the context of a legislative and regulatory system that guarantees gender equality in public rights and duties. He lauded Bahraini women’s rights strides, especially since they participated in the drafting of the National Action Charter, which was approved a sweeping 98.4%, and the consolidation of modern constitutional monarchy. He underlined women’s landmark strides ever since the establishment of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) in 2001, hailing its partnership with government department and legislative branch top incorporate their needs on in development plans and the Government Action Plan (GAP). . He cited milestones which include the Family Code, the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence, and others in accordance with the Kingdom's accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 2002, and relevant international conventions. He lauded Bahraini women’s dedication to assume their national duties and contribute to their country’s democratic and rights development through their crucial participation over the past five parliamentary and municipal polls. He underlined women’s decision-making role, holding high positions as ministersm undersecretaries or assistant-undesecretaries, accounting for 53% of the government jobs, 44% of the executive positions, 56% of the specialized jobs, 31% of the diplomatic corps, 9% of judges. He stressed Bahrain’s keenness on reconciling the performance of women with their family duties and their participation in the process of economic and social development by strengthening their presence in the private sector, where they constitute 34% of the workforce and 34% of administrative and supervisory jobs and 45% of entrepreneurs. He reiterated the Government’s keenness on improving the health and education services provided to women and raising their standard of living, which ranked Bahrain 43rd in the world according to the 2018 UNDP report, stressing its landmark progress in pursuing the implementation of the goals Sustainable Development 2030. “This year’s celebration of women's in the field of higher education and future sciences coincides with the centenary of formal education, in recognition of its scientific status”, he said, stressing Kingdom's first global ranking in the indicators of enrollment in secondary and higher education according to the Davos Gender Gap Report 2018. He expressed his pride and appreciation for the regional and global appreciation of the achievements of Bahraini women, hailing the UNIDO Award for Excellence in Empowering Women and Youth, which was conferred on HM the King and the Arab Woman Medal, which was awarded to HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa.