On the occasion of Bahraini Women’s Day, Woman This Month pauses to reflect on and thank the many inspirational women who have paved the way for the Kingdom’s young girls to feel part of a progressive society where their rights are respected, and their work admired and appreciated.
HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is said to be one of the most important figures when it comes to the progress and development of Bahraini women, having established the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) and sits as its current President.
Launched by HRH Princess Sabeeka in 2008, the first Bahraini Women’s Day celebrated 80 years since the start of formal education for women in the Kingdom. According to reports, women’s education started in Bahrain in 1928, making the Kingdom of Bahrain the first Gulf country to have female education. Marked on December 1 every year, the occasion celebrates Bahraini women and their consistent contributions to shaping the identity of a modern, forward-thinking society that seeks to preserve the principles of equality in the national development process.
In a statement marking Bahraini Women’s Day, HM King Hamad commended the role played by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), led by HRH Princess Sabeeka, in advancing women in the kingdom.
“Throughout its institutional work, the SCW has been able to demonstrate our vision on the advancement and progress of Bahraini women. It has become, as we wished, one of the results of our comprehensive development process that has paved the way for Bahraini women, as full-fledged citizens. Today, thanks to those efforts, women are an integral component in the process of modernisation and development, becoming more aware of their rights, in thought and practice, and capable of assuming their responsibilities with competence and confidence for Bahrain’s progress,” says HM the King.
Whilst chairing the SCW’s eighth session recently, HRH Princess Sabeeka expressed her utmost pride in HM King Hamad’s unlimited support of the SCW’s work, noting that the SCW has been keen to adopt the best institutional practices and activate the roles assigned to it as a national mechanism entrusted with meeting the kingdom’s aspirations regarding the advancement of Bahraini women.
“This royal support is a source of pride and honour. It is also an impetus to redouble efforts to attain more achievements that support Bahrain’s comprehensive development process,” she said.
HRH Princess Sabeeka expressed thanks and appreciation to the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for its continuous support and fruitful cooperation with the SCW to activate its work strategies, commensurate with its priorities, which has reflected positively on the SCW’s contribution to the national economy and role in improving the quality of the services it delivers.
Furthermore, she praised the distinguished level of the SCW’s cooperation with state institutions and sectors, highlighting the kingdom’s advanced experience in implementing policies promoting gender balance in the national development process.
Notably, to mark the stellar achievements of Bahraini women, HRH Princess Sabeeka unveiled the Athar Monument in December 2022. The monument was the result of a competition organised by the SCW in collaboration with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities in 2017 which invited submissions for a proposed monument celebrating Bahraini women.
Bahraini women are known for their significant achievements and contributions to economic, social, political and cultural fields. Their visionary efforts have supported and inspired phenomenal development across several sectors including, but not limited to, banking, healthcare, education, retail, media, creative arts and sports.
The Woman This Month team would like to wish every one of our readers a very happy Bahraini Women’s Day!
