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EDB: Women have vital role in Bahrain Vision 2030

Edited by Rami Alshami

Thursday, 03 December 2009 12:34

Bahraini women are central to Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and National Economic Strategy, said Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Kingdom’s Economic Development Board (EDB), on the second Bahrain Women’s Day.

December 1st marked the first anniversary of the Kingdom’s inaugural Women’s Day. Announced last year by Bahrain’s First Lady and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), Her Royal Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the date has become an annual occasion on which to acknowledge the contribution of women to the country.

Shaikh Mohammed said: “It is right that we pay tribute to the landmark contributions that women have made to our society and our nation. And Bahraini women continue to have an important role in our economic development. Women are crucial in realising the ambitions of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and National Economic Strategy – designed to encourage the private sector to drive growth, support further diversification of the economy and ultimately elevate national living standards by creating greater opportunities for all Bahrainis.

“In Bahrain, we have the major advantage of a young population coupled with a growing and increasingly diverse national workforce. We will see an ever increasing number of Bahrainis entering the labour market in the coming years and a growing number will be women – many university graduates – seeking highly skilled positions in rewarding careers. Bahraini women are vital in ensuring that we continue to improve the already attractive environment which enables business to operate and compete effectively both in and from Bahrain.”

The EDB has long played an integral part in efforts to build the capabilities of women. These include the Kingdom’s strong investment in education, skills and labour market development designed to improve domestic labour supply participation and – importantly – market diversity. Women in Bahrain have also been empowered through the royal reform plan, supported by the principles of The National Action Charter of 2001 and the amended constitution in February 2002, which has enhanced women’s social, political and economic prospects. Recent reforms have advanced the role of Bahraini women in society even more, including the establishment of the SCW itself as an advisory council for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Today, Bahraini women account for 70 percent of university students and are found participating across all commercial, economical, investment and developmental activities. Many women have reached high ranking positions including ministerial posts, members of the legislative authority, judges at the constitutional court, high and lower civil courts, general attorneys and ambassadors such as Houda Nonoo, Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States.

In the Bahrain Power List 2009 published by Arabian Business – featuring the most influential 50 people in the Kingdom – fourth place went to Mona Almoayyed, President of Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society. Established in 2000, the society is tasked with the development and promotion of social and economical relations among businesswomen in Bahrain, who now represent 15 percent of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) membership.

Bahrain prides itself on its reputation as the most stable, liberal and open society in the Gulf, with a democratic political system, acceptance of all faiths and established women’s rights. In October 2009, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ranked Bahrain fourth of 155 countries worldwide for its efforts in building the capabilities of women.

Global Arab Network