Nominations for the Woman of the Year Awards 2026 open on June 1 and continue through August 31, inviting individuals across Bahrain and the GCC to recognise women making an impact across business, culture, media, hospitality, education and community leadership.
Featuring 30 awards across seven categories, the initiative returns with an expanded regional focus and a continued commitment to highlighting women shaping industries and communities.
The Woman of the Year Awards, presented by Woman This Month, are set to return for 2026 with an expanded platform celebrating women across industries and sectors. Organised by Red House Marketing, the awards continue to grow as one of Bahrain’s leading recognition initiatives for women, bringing together women from business, media, education, hospitality, sport and the creative industries across the region.
Established in 2024, the awards were created to spotlight women whose work is influencing industries, strengthening communities and contributing to long-term progress. This year’s edition places particular emphasis on accessibility and participation, with open nominations encouraging businesses, organisations and members of the public to recognise women whose contributions deserve wider acknowledgement.
The platform continues to position Bahrain as a hub for regional collaboration and leadership, bringing together figures from across the GCC while strengthening professional and cultural connections throughout the region.
The 2025 Grand Finale, held at The Grand Ballroom of The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa in Manama, reflected the growing scale of the initiative, bringing together nominees, industry leaders and guests for an evening of recognition, celebration and live performances. Reflecting on the atmosphere of the evening, Marija Rakic, winner in the Woman in Performing Arts category, described the experience as one shaped by encouragement and solidarity. “The energy of women supporting women was truly palpable,” she says. “We all understood, without words, that when we uplift one another, we have the power to make the world a better place.”
AWARDS CATEGORIES 2026
The Woman of the Year Awards 2026 feature 30 awards distributed across seven core categories, in addition to a special recognition honour.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Lifetime Achievement Award
Honours a woman whose decades of contribution have shaped Bahrain’s society, industry or culture.
CATEGORY 1: BUSINESS, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
This category recognises women leading economic growth, innovation and transformation across business and technology-driven sectors.
● Woman in Business Leadership
Recognises senior leadership and organisational impact.
● Woman in Entrepreneurship & Innovation
For founders who have scaled enterprises through resilience.
● Woman in FinTech & Finance
Recognises leadership in banking, investment or financial services.
● Woman in STEM
Honours leadership in science, technology, engineering or AI-driven solutions.
CATEGORY 2: CREATIVE INDUSTRIES (ORANGE ECONOMY)
Focused on creative work and cultural expression, this category highlights women contributing to Bahrain’s growing creative economy.
● Woman in Creative Industries (Orange Economy)
Advancing Bahrain’s creative economy through cultural innovation.
● Woman in Visual Arts
Distinguished work in fine art, photography or visual expression.
● Woman in Performing Arts
Achievement in music, theatre, dance or live performance.
● Woman in Fashion
For designers and stylists shaping modern aesthetics.
CATEGORY 3: HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL IMPACT
This category recognises women whose work directly influences wellbeing, learning and community development.
● Woman in Health & Wellness Leadership
Improving care quality and community outcomes.
● Woman in Education & Thought Leadership
Educators and innovators shaping future-ready skills.
● Woman in Beauty & Personal Care
Leadership and entrepreneurship in wellness and personal care.
● Woman in Philanthropy & Community Impact
Charitable initiatives delivering sustained impact.
CATEGORY 4: HOSPITALITY, TOURISM & SPORTS
Recognising industries central to Bahrain’s tourism and lifestyle sectors, this category celebrates leadership across hospitality, culinary arts and sports.
● Woman in Hospitality
Leadership in hotels, restaurants and F&B operations.
● Woman in Tourism
Driving tourism growth through destination and heritage development.
● Woman in Culinary Arts
Recognises a visionary leader in the culinary arts driving gastronomic innovation, preserving cultural heritage and mentoring the next generation of chefs and food innovators.
● Woman in Sports
Achievement and influence in professional or community sports.
CATEGORY 5: MEDIA, COMMUNICATIONS, ADVOCACY & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
The largest category within the programme, this section highlights women shaping communication, public dialogue and media engagement across traditional and digital platforms.
● Woman in Digital Media & Content Creation
Creative and responsible digital content leadership.
● Woman in Public Relations (PR)
Reputation-building and strategic communications.
● Woman in Marketing
Brand growth through insight-led strategy and campaigns.
● Woman in Journalism (Print & Broadcast)
Exceptional storytelling in traditional media.
● Woman in Digital Journalism
Excellence in online and digital-first reporting.
● Woman in Law & Advocacy
Leadership in policy and advocacy advancing public good.
CATEGORY 6: YOUTH & FUTURE LEADERS
Focused on emerging voices and younger changemakers, this category recognises leadership at an early stage.
● UNIDO Rising Star of the Year (Under 25)
Recognises emerging leadership in innovation and sustainability.
● Girl of the Year (Under 16)
Celebrates early leadership and positive community influence.
CATEGORY 7: GCC-BAHRAIN REGIONAL RECOGNITION
Extending the platform beyond Bahrain, this category highlights women making an impact across the GCC region.
● GCC Excellence – Woman of the Year (UAE)
● GCC Excellence – Woman of the Year (Qatar)
● GCC Excellence – Woman of the Year (KSA)
● GCC Excellence – Woman of the Year (Oman)
● GCC Excellence – Woman of the Year (Kuwait)
Nomination & Evaluation Process
Nominations officially open on June 1 and remain open until August 31. Following the nomination period, the awards move into public voting before progressing to jury review and the final announcement of winners.
The evaluation process combines community participation with independent assessment to ensure fairness and credibility. The jury panel will include leaders from business, media, academia, social impact and the creative industries. Public voting will take place through secure digital platforms alongside jury evaluation and scoring criteria.
Open nominations will be promoted through Woman This Month, Bahrain This Month and partner platforms across print and digital channels, encouraging broad public participation.
Beyond the Awards
The Woman of the Year Awards continue to expand through a multi-platform strategy spanning print, digital and social media. Coverage includes features in Woman This Month and Bahrain This Month, alongside campaigns across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and digital channels. Gulf Daily News will also feature announcements, nomination calls and winner highlights throughout the awards cycle.
The platform also extends beyond the awards ceremony itself through outdoor screens, the annual Winners Edition and an accompanying podcast series featuring conversations with winners and contributors.
Reflecting on the impact of receiving recognition through the platform, Ekaterina Akatcevich, Director of Operations at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain and recipient of the Woman in Hospitality Leadership award, describes the experience as both rewarding and motivating. “It was both humbling and deeply motivating,” she says. “A very proud moment.”
For media professional Aisha Ebrahim, winner in the Woman in Media category, the recognition reinforced the value of authenticity and consistency. “You do not have to be the best or the most perfect to gain recognition,” she says. “What matters most is staying true to yourself and working hard.”
Looking Ahead
As nominations open for the 2026 edition, the Woman of the Year Awards continue to build on their growing regional presence while maintaining a strong focus on recognising women whose work is shaping industries, communities and future generations.
For partnership opportunities and sponsorship, please contact:
George Middleton
[email protected]
Amna Syed
[email protected]
WOTYA 2026
[email protected]
Alison Lillywhite
[email protected]
Know someone who deserves recognition?
Nominations are open now.
Nominate at womanoftheyearawards.com
