Speaker: HRH Princess Sabeeka contributed to making Bahrain women advancement leader

Manama, Aug. 17 (BNA): Speaker of the Council of Representatives and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Delegation, Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal, has stressed that equality between women and men in Bahrain is based on the principle of equal opportunities as a well-established policy and a fundamental pillar of the comprehensive Reform Project spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The speaker said that the Kingdom has developed plans and strategies, and established institutions and associations concerned with women's issues, foremost of which is the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), led by Bahrain's First Lady, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and SCW President. She affirmed that HRH Princess Sabeeka has contributed to making Bahrain a leader in creating specific initiatives related to women's issues that other countries have not previously approached, from the stage of "empowerment" to the stage of “advancement” of women. Zainal made the statements as she addressed the 13th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament, held by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and organised by Austria on August 17-18. Parliamentary Delegation members, MP Fatima Abbas Qassim and Shura Council member, Dr. Ebtissam Mohammed Saleh Al-Dalal, participated in the virtual summit. The speaker highlighted the kingdom’s experience in supporting women, noting that it is the fruitful outcome of a well-established policy that began with empowerment and reached advancement in all economic, social and political sectors. She stressed that the Bahrain women’s march is not based on emergency initiatives but on an integrated and comprehensive vision, citing the issuance of the royal directives to allow working mothers to work from home in order to achieve the highest levels of family stability. The royal initiative was followed by the “Together” campaign initiated by HRH Princess Sabeeka to provide multiple services to Bahraini women, especially in the economic field, she added. The speaker affirmed that Bahrain is a role model to be emulated regarding women’s achievements. The speaker pointed out that there is a need to find specific initiatives related to practical realities, through the parliaments of the world, to devote legislative efforts, in order to deepen and enhance the global march towards the empowerment and advancement of women in all fields.