SCW delegation concludes fruitful visit to UN, USA

Washington, Mar. 23 (BNA): The delegation of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) has concluded its working visits to the UN headquarters in New York and the US Capital, Washington, where it held multiple meetings with UN and US decision-makers, and confirmed the kingdom’s leading role in boosting various women-related issues. Participation in CSW63 The delegation participated in the general discussion of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Members of the delegation stressed the vital role played by the SCW, under the presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King, along with its partners, to ensure the continuous development of services and facilities aimed at consolidating social protection for the Bahraini society, integrating women’s needs in the government’s action plans and the budget, based on the Economic Vision of Bahrain 2030 and its principles of social justice and equal opportunities. Bahrain’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jamal Faris Al Rowaie, highlighted, during his speech at the CSW63, the Kingdom’s keenness on the social protection for women and families through legislation and initiatives that guarantee respect, preserve family values, promote social solidarity and ensure equal opportunity. He also stressed the diversification of the financial support services for women according to their economic and social conditions, namely Improving the Standard of Living Allowance, Housing Allowance, Social Allowance, Unemployment Compensation, in addition to medical care and a monthly allowance for people with disabilities. Ambassador Al-Rowaie shed light on the initiatives launched by Bahrain to increase the participation of women in the labour market, whereas the estimated income of women in the period (2010-2017) increased by 66%. He also added that the participation of women in the public sector during the period (2006-2018) increased from 38% to 50% of the total Bahraini workforce. He further elaborated that in the private sector, the participation of women increased from 24% to 34%, in addition to a decline in job-seeking women during the period (2012-2017) from 4% to 3.2%, while the percentage of female-owned commercial registrations for the year 2018 was about 49% of the total active trade registrations. Global Award laureates announced On the sidelines of CSW63, the SCW, in cooperation with UN WOMen, organised a ceremony to announce the winners of the HRH Princess Sabeeka Global Award for women's Empowerment. The winners were: · Public Sector: Abu Dhabi Police Force. · Private Sector: Mahila Sahayatra Microfinance Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. of Nepal. · Civil Society: Sustainable Development for All Kenya · Individuals: Dr Kalpana Sankar of India. Accompanying Exhibition On the sidelines of Award-distribution ceremony, an exhibition was held showed statistics on the progress of Bahraini women and promotion of the objectives of the award and highlighted commitment of legislative and executive branches of countries and private organisations to policy on non-discrimination against women, achieving equal opportunities at various levels, highlighting efforts and initiatives aimed at integrating the needs of women for more stable and productive life, in addition to accentuating women’s status at the global level and effort to attain development goals related to achieving gender equality Meeting with Irish Minister Supreme Council for Women (SCW) Secretary-General Hala Al-Ansari held talks with Irish Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Patrick Stanton. She discussed with the Irish Minister the latest initiatives to set policies and programmes that aim to promote the women’s status and empowerment. She also outlined Bahrain’s strenuous efforts to bridge wage gender gap, integrate women’s needs in the Government Action Plan (GAP) and general state budget, reiterating the Kingdom’s commitment to work with international partners. Washington informed about Bahrain’s efforts The delegation headed to Washington DC, where they held intensive meetings with the US decision-makers and carried out visits to research and academic centres, according to the programme prepared by the kingdom’s Embassy to US. Meeting US Women's Foreign Policy Group During an open meeting, organised by US-based Women's Foreign Policy Group at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Al-Ansari highlighted Bahrain’s strides in women advancement. In her speech, Al-Ansari affirmed that the kingdom has made giant qualitative leaps in consolidating women’s presence and participation in various fields over the past two decades, under the Reform Project spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which, she said, has contributed to placing Bahrain among the developed countries in the fields of constitutional democracy and human rights respect, increased growth rates and activated the potentials of all social segments, including youth and women. Round table with Middle East Institute The delegation and the Middle East Institute co-organised a round-table in which Bahrain’s progress in supporting women and engaging them in achieving the sustainable development goals were highlighted. 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. Meetings with US decision-makers: While in Washington DC, the delegation was keen to hold meetings with key US decision-makers to enhance the two countries’ cooperation on various women-related women, and to highlight Bahrain’s achievements in this regard. Contacting US Congress SCW secretary-general held a working meeting with US Congressman, Chris Smith, in the presence of Bahrain’s Ambassador to US, Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa. She reviewed the kingdom’s achievements regarding Bahraini women’s advancement, and success in reaching decision-making posts. Meeting US State, Justice departments’ officials Al-Ansari also held meetings with officials from the US State Department, and those of the US Justice Department, and discussed with them ways to enhance cooperation between two countries in the field of women. Consolidating cooperation with US university Al-Ansari also held a meeting with a researcher from the US-based Johns Hopkins University and another with the university’s students. She shed light on the history of women in Bahrain, and their achievements. The Johns Hopkins University is currently conducting a study on Bahraini women. The study will be presented at many events, including an international conference on women leaders.