Manama : Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani praised the development and human rights vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which strengthened the pioneering achievements of Bahraini women in supporting the sustainable development process.
He said that they earned a prestigious position in international forums as a model of progress, prosperity and gender balance, in accordance with the constitution, national legislation and international agreements.
The minister expressed his pride in the success of Bahrain when discussing the fourth national report on the progress made in implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The report supports the status and advancement of women in various fields, as a result of royal directives and the efforts of the government led by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the programs, plans and initiatives of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) headed by the Wife of HM the King, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa.
The presentation of the delegation of Bahrain, headed by the Secretary-General of the SCW Hala Mohammed Jaber Al Ansari, in the presence of the CEDAW Committee in conjunction with the celebration of the twenty-second anniversary of the adoption of the National Action Charter, represented women’s achievements at the political, economic and social levels.
This is in accordance with the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, the Government Program, the Economic Vision and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, amid widespread praise from the International Committee and member states of Bahrain’s record in respecting women’s rights and their advancement as an active partner in the democratic and development process, he added.
The Minister stressed on the achievements of Bahraini women and their vital role considering the comprehensive development march of His Majesty the King, pointing out his appreciation to their role in approving the NAC, and the sustainability of democratic achievements through their participation in the parliamentary and municipal elections.
Both as a candidate and as an election, and their representation of 23% of the members of the legislative authority in its Shura and Chamber of Representatives in the sixth legislative term, their assumption of five ministerial portfolios by 22%, their active presence in the municipal councils, and their contributions to the comprehensive development by 43% of the national workforce, 56% in the government sector, 39% in the private sector, and 44% of entrepreneurs, he added.
He said that the effective partnership between the legislative and executive authorities, with the support of the SCW, has enhanced the rates of family cohesion and family and community stability, through the adoption of modern family legislation and laws.
Protection from domestic violence, restorative justice for children, their protection from abuse, and the allocation of an integrated building for family courts, developing the competences of the Family and Child Prosecution Office, as well as developing social and educational services, with women representing 66% of scholarships, and 63% of higher education graduates, raising health care levels by increasing the average life expectancy at birth for women to 80 years, in addition to providing a pioneering example in combating the repercussions of the global pandemic, and other developments in accordance with CEDAW, he added.
The Minister expressed his appreciation of the Bahraini woman for assuming responsibility efficiently and competently in all aspects of life, praising their distinguished efforts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kingdom’s diplomatic and consular missions abroad, with a percentage of 33% of the diplomatic and administrative cadres, with their merit in assuming the highest leadership positions in regional and international committees and organizations.
He highlighted their equal and constructive partnership alongside men in raising the name of the Kingdom as a model of wise diplomacy and respect for human rights under the rule of law and constitutional institutions under the leadership of His Majesty the King, and the support of His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
