Ongoing political developments and initiatives to empower women and promote economic growth are taking center stage in Bahrain, as leaders strive to advance women's roles within various sectors, especially the digital economy. Lulwa Saleh Al-Awdi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Women, recently highlighted these efforts during the closing session of the first "Excellence" conference, organized by the Abdullah bin Khalid Center for Parent Care.
During the event, Al-Awdi emphasized the council's commitment to transitioning Bahraini women from empowerment to achieving new horizons of leadership and excellence across modern fields. This includes promising sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital content creation, and technological advancements, aimed at equipping women through education and training initiatives.
Al-Awdi stated, "The diligent efforts exerted by the Supreme Council for Women are reflected in the national strategy for the advancement of Bahraini women adopted by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2005." This strategy has translated over the years to national plans, the most recent being the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women 2025-2026, recently approved by Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, which emphasizes the importance of empowering women in digital fields.
According to Al-Awdi, the foundation laid by this strategy is now manifesting positively as more Bahraini women are taking up ministerial positions and increasing their presence within leadership roles across sectors. This trend resonates well with international competitive reports which reflect the progress made.
Highlighting this government backing, Al-Awdi referenced the government program for 2023-2026, which aims to promote women's contributions to national life and the economy. She remarked, "The government program focuses on enhancing the advancement of Bahraini women and their contributions to public life and the national economy." This program is pivotal not only for solidifying the role women play but also for establishing sustainable growth nationwide.
One of the core approaches of the Supreme Council for Women is ensuring cooperation and coordination with relevant entities to execute the mandates of the National Plan. Al-Awdi assured participants of the council's dedication to revising and enhancing collaboration methods to implement the plan's objectives effectively.
The conference, which attracted attention from various dignitaries including health officials and local government representatives, served as a platform to spotlight the significant strides made by Bahraini women. Al-Awdi noted, "Bahraini women have proven their competence across various fields of the digital economy," underscoring the rewards of this support and advocacy for women's empowerment programs.
Al-Awdi's comments resonate with the broader vision to achieve gender balance as part of public rights and duties, aiming at ensuring women's progress across all sectors, including the digital economy. With implemented policies grounded on concrete partnerships among all executive bodies, the Supreme Council for Women is leading the charge toward achieving these equality norms.
These enhancements collectively reflect Bahrain’s progressive stance on women's development, shedding light on how the concerted efforts of governmental bodies and councils are sculpting the future of women within the economy. All eyes are now on the impact of these advancements on Bahrain’s economic future, particularly relating to gender balance and women’s accessibility across diverse sectors.
With women increasingly occupying leadership positions and contributing significantly to national discourse, Bahrain is setting benchmarks for success, making strides toward sustainable development and impressive growth fueled by inclusivity and equitable representation.