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Bahrain participates in Arab preparatory meeting for 70th session of UN Commission on the Status of Women
Lulwa bint Saleh Al Awadhi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), participated in the remote Arab preparatory meeting for the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
The meeting, held under the theme "Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers," was attended by ministers and representatives of national mechanisms concerned with women’s affairs in the member states of the League of Arab States (LAS).
The first session of the meeting included a presentation on the priority theme of CSW70, while the second session discussed the draft Arab statement for CSW70.
The Kingdom of Bahrain also participated in the 45th session of the Arab Women's Committee of the Arab League, chaired by the State of Qatar, with the participation of representatives of national policy mechanisms concerned with women in Arab member states.
The first item on the agenda addressed follow-up on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda in the Arab region from 2023 to 2028. Discussions covered the activity report of the Social Affairs Sector, Women’s Department, Technical Secretariat of the Arab Women's Committee between the 44th and 45th sessions, the Pink Portfolio initiative to promote women’s health in the Arab region, combating violence against women, the Arab Women Excellence Award, climate change, capacity-building of members of the Gender Equality Subcommittee to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in the Arab region, and the Arab Women Capital initiative.
The second agenda item addressed the women, peace and security agenda, highlighting the Arab Women Mediators Network, the Implementation of the Arab Strategy for the Prevention and Response to Combat All Forms of Violence in Asylum Context, particularly sexual violence against women and girls, the Emergency Committee for the Protection of Women during Armed Conflicts in the Arab region, and updates on national action plans to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
The third item focused on the economic and social empowerment of women in the Arab region. It discussed the technical and financial plan of the regional programme for the economic and social empowerment of women in the Arab region and the Arab Observatory for Women’s Economic Development. The fourth item addressed cooperation with international and regional entities and bilateral international cooperation in the field of women’s empowerment.
Al Awadhi commended the efforts of the General Secretariat of the Arab League in supporting joint Arab action on women’s issues. She expressed appreciation to the State of Qatar for chairing the current session and to the State of Palestine for chairing the previous session.
She affirmed that the Kingdom adopts a comprehensive national vision for women’s empowerment and advancement, based on integrating women’s needs into development policies and plans, promoting equal opportunities, and ensuring the sustainability of achievements in line with the National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, supported by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2005. The strategy has been translated into national plans centred on the national model for gender balance, integrating women’s needs and achieving equal opportunities.
She noted that these efforts have resulted in tangible progress in strengthening women’s status, with the model adopted as an official commitment within the Government Programme. She added that permanent equal opportunity committees have been established in all ministries and public sector institutions, currently totalling 64 committees, in addition to 26 committees established by the private sector initiative, through the SCW, which marks its silver jubilee this year, commemorating its establishment in 2001.
She added that, in line with the agenda of the current session, particularly regarding the economic and social empowerment of women in the Arab region, Bahrain continues to implement initiatives that contribute to women’s advancement, encourage entrepreneurship, and expand opportunities in the knowledge economy and future industries. She noted ongoing efforts to enable women’s membership on the boards of public shareholding companies, aiming to increase their representation, following the success of the women’s political empowerment programme, which enhanced women’s representation in decision-making positions in the government sector. The Kingdom also gives special attention to empowering women in emerging fields and digital transformation to keep pace with rapid changes and enhance their active contribution to development and innovation.
The Secretary General invited members of the committee and heads and representatives of national mechanisms concerned with women in Arab countries to participate in the third edition of the Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment, as well as in the side event to be held on the margins of CSW70 in New York, which will address the status of Gulf women within constitutional and legislative frameworks and explore ways to strengthen rights, justice, and public policy approaches.
The event will be organised by the Kingdom of Bahrain in its capacity as Chair of the current session of the Permanent Committee, in coordination with the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and will be promoted in cooperation with UN Women.