WOMEN in Bahrain will be offered free legal advice to help them set up businesses, as part of an initiative to empower the women.

This follows a memorandum of understanding between the Active Leaders for Women Advancement in the Near East (Alwane) Bahrain Society and the Jordan-based Arab Women’s Legal Network (AWLN).

It was signed by society chairman Ammar Awachi and AWLN board member Fawzia Janahi, who represents the network in Bahrain.

Those interested have to register through the society and consultations will be available through face-to-face meetings or email.

Relevant conferences and workshops may also be organised in the future.

Mr Awachi said it is hoped to encourage more Bahraini women towards entrepreneurship.

“We need to motivate more women to launch their own businesses so that they become job providers rather than job seekers,” he said, adding that women need to take the initiative and benefit from the support, opportunities and services provided to them.

Alwane, which means ‘my colours’ in Arabic, is a non-profit society enabling like-minded individuals to come together to share knowledge and experiences through a network of learning, knowledge and professional development.

It was launched by Women Campaign International across 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, aiming to support and encourage women to become economically independent by providing them with knowledge and expertise.

The AWLN, set up in Jordan in 2005, is a regional non-governmental and non-profit association made up of law degree holders.

Mrs Janahi represents the AWLN in Bahrain which has 46 members.