Foreign Minister: Bahraini women are active partners in building peace, advancing sustainable development
Manama, Nov. 30 (BNA): Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee, commended the significant contributions of Bahraini women and their role as active partners in advancing the country’s cultural, developmental and diplomatic achievements.
He highlighted this progress as a result of the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Dr. Al Zayani extended congratulations to Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), and to all women in the Kingdom of Bahrain on the occasion of Bahraini Women’s Day, celebrated this year under the theme "Bahraini Women: Distinction – Creativity – Innovation". He commended Bahraini women’s longstanding achievements in education, knowledge, and innovation and their constructive role in national development and modernisation.
He praised the SCW for its programmes and initiatives that support women's leadership and effective participation across political, economic and social domains, as well as its efforts to prepare women for senior leadership and executive roles. He noted the Council’s work in integrating women’s needs into government planning and national development, supported by a modern constitutional and legal framework aligned with international human rights standards, including Bahrain’s accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
He expressed appreciation for the key role of Bahraini women in diplomacy since the 1970s and their contributions to decision-making and institutional development within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bahrain’s diplomatic and consular missions. He noted that women now represent 37% of ministry employees and 38% of the diplomatic corps. He underlined the ministry’s commitment through the Equal Opportunities Committee and in cooperation with the SCW to supporting women’s advancement and their assumption of various administrative and diplomatic posts, noting that women make up half of the graduates of the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies.
He expressed pride that this national occasion coincides with Bahrain’s hosting of the 46th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, reflecting international recognition of the Kingdom’s diplomatic approach under the leadership of His Majesty the King. He added that this recognition includes Bahrain’s election for the second time as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2026–2027, its membership in the Executive Board of UN Women for 2026–2028, and the launch of the third edition of the Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women Empowerment, among other international achievements.
He emphasised that Bahraini Women’s Day is a prestigious occasion in which Bahrain renews its appreciation for women’s efforts and their role in the nation’s development. He highlighted the Kingdom’s pride in the international and regional standing women have achieved as key partners in building peace, promoting tolerance and coexistence, protecting human rights, and supporting sustainable development, in line with the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, the National Human Rights Plan and Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
