Woman This Month’s Farah Baig finds out about women-owned businesses and more from the President of Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society, Ahlam Janahi.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Woman This Month team wanted to get an insight into the role of Bahraini women in the growth of the Kingdom’s economy. The President and founder of Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society, Ahlam Janahi, has over 35 years of business experience and has played an undeniable role in the growth of women’s endeavours in the Kingdom. MS. Janahi highlighted the role of women in the economy and their achievements to date.
How does the Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society help businesswomen in Bahrain? What are the society’s most recent notable achievements?
The society contributes to training and networking among businesswomen on every level: locally, regionally and internationally. This is through participation in various workshops, attending economic conferences, direct contact with similar associations and chambers of commerce. This is in addition to opening communication channels for women with relevant government agencies and highlighting the role of women in the boards of companies and the Commercial chamber. The society also works to highlight women entrepreneurs and help society members reach decision-making positions.
Some of the most notable achievements of the society in the recent years includes the training and graduation of about 100 members through UNIDO, training of 100 members through the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) and attendance of 150 members at international conferences to promote Bahraini women as businesswomen. In addition, the society has played a role in the increment of the percentage of businesswomen in the global economic index
As the founder of Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society, how do you believe female-owned businesses have contributed to and changed the economy over the years?
Gender diversity in economic growth leads to long-term value creation, stability, and even greater returns. It is one of the key principles of the Bahrain Economic Vision and mentored by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW). The role of BBS is to align and work with the government and other stakeholders to incorporate women’s advancement as a valid strategy into national and corporate growth, both to ensure sustainable growth and demonstrate leadership through values. It also serves as a bridge between the administrators and the growth of women as economic catalysts.
Bahraini women were businesswomen from the days of diving when the men used to leave for four months or more. It was these women who would take charge of trade matters: selling spices and food, knitting clothes, and other things. The commercial laws in Bahrain do not differentiate between genders, just as SCW supports Bahraini women in all fields, and we as a society get support and cooperation from the SCW in private business. This includes joint activities like awareness and training programmes or support for commercial issues and the percentage indicator.The records highlighting the increase in women’s opening of business is the greatest evidence of women’s growth in the economy.
As someone who has been in business in Bahrain for several years, what would you consider to be the most notable changes over the years?
The participation of women in the labour market has visibly increased over the last three decades; they have entered new sectors and decision-making positions previously monopolised by men. The Kingdom has also made efforts to promote gender equality in all laws promulgated on the economy and the labour market, such as the Commercial Companies Act, Commercial Registration Act, Trade Act, and Non-Governmental Sector Employment Act.
What have been the major challenges presented by the pandemic to businesswomen in Bahrain?
The challenges are global, but the Kingdom of Bahrain has handled COVID-19 effectively and the steps taken by the authorities are worthy of praise. The Kingdom’s strategy was notably applauded by the World Health Organisation and various international institutions. Bahrain’s government made huge efforts to alleviate the financial burden of businesses and individuals during this period of economic uncertainty, and protect the welfare of the community under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
Although a small percentage of Bahraini businesswomen could not continue, SCW has a team and a program of advisors who will find appropriate solutions for them.
How have women coped with these challenges?
About half of Bahrain’s women entrepreneurs are attempting to innovatively market their business at this time. Everyone is also focused on saving expenditures, focusing on priorities, changing the traditional pattern in trade and union to digital trade and technology, and gaining experiences through zoom meetings and other alternatives instead of traveling abroad.
Should the pandemic persist, what do you believe would be a sustainable change to ensure the continuation of businesses and recovery of the economy?
Continued government support, changing the traditional pattern of trade, and making it possible to form unions from small and medium-sized companies to establish large companies would help the situation.
What do you believe is the key to success for potential business owners in Bahrain?
I believe that my key to success has been my ability to serve my beloved Kingdom of Bahrain and its leaders while mentoring and supporting the women of Bahrain in their path to success. Hard work, persistence, and sincerity in supporting my counterparts are guidelines. Focusing on business and launching Bahraini companies into the global arena are also essential. Joint cooperation between the government and the business sector in international and important projects, and attracting international projects to reduce the unemployment rate are vital.
Do you have any statistics on the number of businesswomen in the Kingdom?
According to SCW statistics in the ‘Bahrain Gender Balance Indicators’ app developed by SCW, Bahraini women made notable contributions to business, with an average of 43% of all active individuals’ Commercial Registers (CRs) between 2010 and 2018 being owned by Bahraini women.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I believe that we should focus on exporting Bahraini products abroad. In addition, I wish success to everyone who works hard in developing themselves and their work to contribute to the development of the Kingdom. We wish the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region continued security and safety in the years to come.
