WOMEN make up nearly half of the workforce in the private sector, while 45 per cent hold top leadership positions in the public sector.
This was revealed by the Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Humaidan yesterday, as Bahrain joins the rest of the world to mark the International Women’s Day tomorrow.
It is being held this year under the theme, ‘I Am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights’.
“Women’s participation rate in the national workforce in Bahrain reached 47pc and has exceeded more than 50pc in the government sector,” said Mr Humaidan.
“In some sectors, such as education and health, it has increased to 80pc.”
Mr Humaidan stated that Bahraini women currently hold 45pc of top leadership positions in the public sector, while 59pc hold middle-level management positions.
“Females constitute 55pc of the total new entrants to the labour market, while 71pc of the total vacancies at the Labour and Social Development Ministry are available for female job-seekers,” he added.
The minister said from September 2018 until September last year, more than 7,221 job-seekers were trained, with females accounting for 70.7pc.
“Statistics and reports show an average increase of women’s income over 12 years by more than 75pc in the private sector – from BD280 in 2006 it has risen to BD491 in 2019.”
The percentage of Commercial Registration (CR) owned by women reached 39pc, while women entrepreneurs, according to government records, was 77pc.
Mr Humaidan said the annual event epitomises Bahraini women’s active role in the political, legislative, economic and other fields.
“Bahrain offers many incentives to women who wish to start their own businesses, including financing programmes and supporting productive families.”
ghazi@gdn.com.bh
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