Bahrain’s experience in women’s empowerment has been a model to take pride in since its early stages, beginning with participation in municipal elections and access to formal education in the 1920s, followed by the establishment of women’s voluntary social activities in the 1950s.
Supreme Council for Women (SCW) secretary-general Lulwa Al Awadhi made the remarks as she delivered Bahrain’s address at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
Ms Al Awadhi highlighted the importance of the high-level meeting, which is dedicated to reviewing the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action after 30 years and assessing current challenges affecting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and their contribution to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
She noted Bahraini women’s growing role in national development, holding ministerial positions and leadership roles in the legislative and executive branches.
She called on UN member states to encourage public and private institutions, civil society organisations, and individuals to participate in the Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment.
Ms Al Awadhi described the award as a global initiative aimed at encouraging such establishments and individuals to adopt and support women’s empowerment programmes.
She emphasised that the initiative aligns with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and contributes to international efforts to advance progress for women worldwide.
On the sidelines of session, Ms Al Awadhi met Saudi Family Affairs Council secretary-general Dr Maimoonah Al Khalil to discuss SCW’s programmes supporting Bahraini women.
She commended Saudi Arabia’s rapid progress in women’s empowerment and highlighted the role of the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University National Observatory for Women, which analyses gender-related data in collaboration with the General Authority for Statistics.
Ms Al Awadhi invited Dr Al Khalil to participate in the third edition of the Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment, emphasising its role in recognising outstanding initiatives worldwide.
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