Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashed Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee for Human Rights, paid tribute to the track record of Bahraini women and their contributions to the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The minister said Bahraini women have left their mark in diplomatic, political, developmental and social domains, supported by HM the King and the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) led by Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of HM the King, which has launched effective initiatives that are aligned with national strategies to support the advancement of women.
Dr. Al Zayani valued the success of Bahraini women in holding leading positions in various sectors, noting that women are now 22% of the cabinet.
He highlighted that Bahrain has had a women Speaker of the Council of Representatives, and that women hold 25% of the National Assembly seats.
Twelve percent of judges are women, 56% of the working force in the public sector and 35% of the working force in the private sector are women, he said.
The minister said these achievements have been consolidated by legislation and laws, the constitution and Bahrain’s commitment to international accords, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
He expressed pride in the efforts of women in all disciplines, particularly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where women are one third of active diplomats.
The minister shed light on the success of Bahraini women as ambassadors and members of regional and international committees and organisations, including the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly in 2006-2007.
Dr. Al Zayani commended the role of the committee on equal opportunities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its contributions in strengthening the engagement of women in cooperation with the SCW. He also noted the role of the Mohammed bin Mubarak AlKhalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies in preparing young Bahraini female and male diplomats.
The minister said that celebrating Bahaini Women’s Day reflects the pride of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the prominent and sustainable achievements of Bahraini women and its keenness on advancing its role as a worthy and competent partner in development.
He noted the international received by the Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment launched in cooperation with UN women in 2017.