Women

How the Kingdom of Bahrain sets example for Women Empowerment at all arenas? With its unwavering commitment to women's rights and empowerment, Bahrain has emerged as a leader in promoting gender equality in the Middle East. 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 (SCW), 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 equality.

The National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women is a landmark initiative adopted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, in 2013 to promote gender equality and empower women in all areas of society. The Strategy includes five themes aimed at ensuring the achievement of family stability within the framework of family bonding, and empowering women with the required capabilities to contribute competitively to the development process, based on the principle of equal opportunity and integrating women’s needs in development.

The Kingdom of Bahrain recognizes 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 programs 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 issues 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 for 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.

Bahrain's government actively promotes female leadership and empowers 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.