International women-led Christian organisation Mothers’ Union will celebrate its 150th anniversary in Bahrain, with plans to set up an office in the kingdom to co-ordinate its expansion in the Gulf.
The announcement was made by Mothers’ Union worldwide president Kathleen Snow during a Press conference in which the organisation also revealed that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with ‘This Is Bahrain’ to explore further collaboration opportunities.
“‘This Is Bahrain’ will be hosting a special celebration for the 150th anniversary of Mothers’ Union worldwide in Bahrain at a later date,” This Is Bahrain chairperson Betsy Mathieson told reporters.
“It should be noted also that until her passing, the late Queen Elizabeth II of England was the royal patron for the Mothers’ Union, and today this mantle has been taken up by Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh.
“So we’re really honoured because the relationship between the UK and Bahrain has always been very strong, and this is yet another link where we will work together to support the incredible work that the Mothers’ Union does all over the world.”
Ms Mathieson added that the Mothers’ Union will be opening an office in Bahrain, which will serve as ‘a headquarters for them to facilitate whatever they need in this region.’
Ms Snow also spoke of the Mothers’ Union chapter that was founded in 2023 at the St Christopher’s Cathedral and now has 29 members.
Ms Snow speaks at the Press conference
Founded in 1876 by Mary Sumner in England, Mothers’ Union, which has more than four million members in 84 countries, works with people of all faiths. Its programmes include campaigns to raise awareness about modern slavery and gender-based violence in addition to providing financial and literacy education to underprivileged women.
When asked what programmes would be provided in Bahrain, Ms Snow told the GDN that it would be based on what the local chapter identifies as the most pressing needs for women and mothers in the community.
“Every branch in every area of the world is different,” she added.
“It has to fit your culture and it has to fit the needs of your community.
“We have something we call MULOA – Mothers’ Union Listens, Observes and Acts, and we leave that up to the branch.
“They know the needs of their community. If they feel that there is a need for literacy or parenting programmes, we have the resources centrally at our head office in London to train them, and then they would fly with it.”
To better understand these needs, Ms Snow met with the chapter members during her visit to the kingdom, which took place alongside a celebration of the 50-year golden jubilee of the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf, as well as the three-day Anglican Diocesan Synod of Cyprus and the Gulf – a formal gathering of church officials to discuss, deliberate and advise on matters of doctrine, administration and church life.
Yesterday, Ms Snow also hosted a ‘coffee and chat’ at the St Christopher’s Cathedral to highlight the global organisation’s initiatives and hear from the community about their needs and goals.
The meet and greet came the day after Ms Snow undertook a 10km run starting at the Bahrain Fort on Friday.
It was part of a global fundraising challenge marking the 150th anniversary of Mothers’ Union.
Ms Snow will run in a total of 15 dioceses around the world, and has so far completed two of these – in Canada and Bahrain.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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