Bahrain's Advancements in Women's Rights and Inclusion.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has taken significant steps toward promoting women's equality and ensuring their rights in various roles in society. This dedication is evident in the establishment of the Supreme Council for Women (Arabic only), which aims to empower women and champion their rights across a wide range of fields while supporting their roles. The council provides a comprehensive range of services, including training programs, capacity building, awareness programs, economic empowerment, political empowerment, legal support, guidance, and family counseling.
As a result of these efforts, Bahrain has seen an increase in the representation of women in political and economic arenas, with more women holding leadership positions in both the public and private sectors. To further enhance the capabilities of women, Bahrain continues to invest in education and training programs that equip them with the necessary skills to excel in their chosen fields. Bahrain's unwavering dedication to fostering a more inclusive and equal society is a testament to its commitment to upholding women's rights and achieving gender parity.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Overview of some indicators
The National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women
The National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women is a landmark initiative adopted by His Majesty the King in 2013 to promote gender equality and empower women in all areas of society. The Strategy includes five pillars that focus on family stability, education, economic empowerment, political participation, and legal protection.
The National Gender Balance Model and Report
The National Gender Balance Model is a national action guide that supports the implementation of the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women. The Model focuses on five themes: Policies, Budgets, Knowledge, Management, and Auditing, with an added scope of monitoring and measuring Impact. The Model is a valuable tool for policymakers, parliamentarians, and project implementers working on empowering and advancing women in Bahrain.
International Cooperation
Bahrain has signed on to numerous treaties supporting women's rights and equality and has launched a Parliamentary Handbook to guide parliaments in mainstreaming women's needs in development.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has recognized the importance of technology in today's world and has taken significant steps toward promoting digital literacy among women. Both the public and private sectors have implemented a range of initiatives and programmes aimed at bridging the gender gap and empowering women with the necessary digital skills.
Bahrain's efforts have been recognized globally, with the country ranking first in multiple sub-indices within Metas' Inclusive Internet Index 2022, which focused on areas such as national female e-inclusion policies and female digital skills training. The Kingdom's leading position on female tech inclusion is evident in initiatives such as Women in FinTech, supported by the Supreme Council of Women (SCW).
In 2020, the SCW launched the second edition of the national guidance program for Bahraini women, e-Guidance, which aimed to provide female retirees, job seekers, graduates, and entrepreneurs with the latest information and developments through interactive workshops. These workshops presented the most important theoretical and professional knowledge, skills, and experiences.
Women's participation in programs such as the Technical Development Program has been impressive, with women constituting 75% of the participants. The programs aim to train and create job opportunities for young, qualified Bahrainis, further contributing to the economic and social progress of the nation.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has made significant strides in promoting digital literacy among women, recognizing the importance of technology in today's world. By fostering a tech-savvy generation of women, the country is not only empowering its female citizens but also contributing to the overall economic and social progress of the nation. For more information on Bahrain's initiatives to promote digital literacy among women, visit Women in Technology and Digital Literacy.
Bahrain's government has actively promoted female leadership and empowered women to take on influential roles in various sectors. The country has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at breaking down barriers and encouraging greater representation of women in leadership positions. Bahrain's high scores on various indices reflect this commitment to women's empowerment.
The Women, Business, and the Law 2022 index by the World Bank, covering 190 economies and structured around the life cycle of a working woman, ranked Bahrain higher than the MENA region's average. The Kingdom received a perfect score in laws protecting women's pay and easing constraints on women who want to start or run a business, highlighting Bahrain's commitment to equal opportunities for women.
To celebrate Bahraini women's contributions to shaping a modern, forward-thinking society that seeks to preserve the principles of equality in the national development process, Bahraini Women's Day is marked on 1st December every year.
In terms of educational attainment, Bahrain ranked 54th out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report 2022, and a study in 2021 found that 63% of postgraduate degrees in Bahrain were held by women. These achievements reflect Bahrain's focus on providing equal opportunities for women to excel in their education and careers.
Furthermore, women's participation in Bahrain's parliamentary and municipal elections has grown in recent years, with 48 percent of women casting ballots in November 2022. This increase in women's political participation demonstrates Bahrain's commitment to creating a more equitable and diverse society where women can play a pivotal role in driving the Kingdom's progress.
Bahrain has taken significant steps towards ensuring the welfare and well-being of mothers and children, reflecting its commitment to maternal and child health. The government has established a robust healthcare system that provides accessible and high-quality medical services, with prenatal care, maternal education, and immunization programs given top priority to ensure the healthy development of infants and the well-being of expectant mothers.
The Ministry of Health in Bahrain has been at the forefront of maternal and child health care programs, leading to many achievements in this field, as reflected in the health indicators. These achievements have been possible due to the instrumental role played by primary health care and maternal and child service programs.
In Bahrain, maternal and child services are provided in over 25 health centers that are accessible to all individuals and distributed throughout the kingdom. The healthcare services are delivered by family physicians and community service nurses who have undergone extensive training through workshops and lectures to provide high-quality services to all citizens and residents of Bahrain. Child and maternity care’s extensive services include pregnant woman care, child periodic screening services, family planning services, and periodic examination of women.
Bahrain's government was one of the first countries in the region to adopt a national strategy for childhood, which obligates the respect and promotion of children's rights and meeting their various needs through the implementation of the National Childhood Strategy (2013-2017). Four main themes were considered in this regard: the right to health and survival, the right to education and capacity development, the right to protection, and the right to participation and non-discrimination. The implementation of the rights of the child guaranteed by Islamic Sharia laws and confirmed by international covenants and conventions is actively pursued.
These initiatives highlight Bahrain's commitment to the welfare of mothers and children, contributing to building a strong and resilient society for future generations.
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Content Last Updated: 28 Aug, 2023
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