International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed on March 8 every year across the world. In celebration of the inspirational women who have contributed to every facet of Bahrain’s society, the Woman This Month team is proud to present a special feature highlighting women from various sectors.
Women, by nature, are nurturing individuals. It is this natural instinct that drives women to put their heart and soul into every aspect of their lives, be it professional or personal. In society too, the sheer dedication of women has been demonstrated and observed across several key sectors including (but certainly not limited to!) entrepreneurship, politics, healthcare, education, sports and arts.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The occasion goes well beyond the handing out of casual roses and themed cupcakes, but is rather a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and the need to persevere for further progress. It is, after all, progress not perfection.
The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. The whole premise of the campaign is to emphasise the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society to achieve gender equality.
Efforts to highlight the contributions of women to society and initiatives to promote further involvement and progress have been consistent in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In fact, the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) led by HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM King Hamad and SCW President, have been far more than commendable in this regard. SCW was established in 2006 to promote women’s rights and their participation in society, and the results of its unwavering support and initiatives have been felt.
Bahraini Women’s Day was launched by HRH Princess Sabeeka in 2008 to highlight the achievements of Bahraini Women. Celebrated on December 1 annually, the day is quite significant as a part of Bahrain’s history as it marks the beginnings of formal education for women in Bahrain with the opening of Bahrain’s first girls’ school in 1928. Furthermore, the SCW spearheaded a youth architectural competition in association with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities which led to the inauguration of the national monument ‘Athar’ on Bahraini Women’s Day in 2022.
Recent figures indicate that the role of women in Bahrain continues to grow at a steady pace. At the Atlantic Council’s empowerME Initiative, held in July 2023, key panelists highlighted their remarkable achievements. Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, HE Shaikh Abdulla Bin Rashid Al Khalifa, revealed that Bahraini women account for about 43 percent of the labour force due to SCW’s reforms.
Furthermore, Chairman of the empowerME initiative at the Atlantic Council, Amjad Ahmad, stated that women in Bahrain make up 83 percent of tertiary school enrollments, 54 percent of the public sector workforce, and 45 percent of leadership positions in official state agencies. In the private sector, women comprise 35 percent of the workforce, hold 17 percent of board seats, and occupy 35 percent of managerial roles.
There’s no denying that women have a voice and an essential role to play in the overall development of the world. As we continue to work towards an equal society, may the voice of all women continue to be heard, and may their powerful presence be felt. Let’s Inspire Inclusion!
Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at Woman This Month!
