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HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim: Royal support remains key to Bahraini women’s progress
Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), said that Bahraini Women’s Day has become a distinguished annual occasion that has long been supported by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim expressed gratitude for the unlimited royal support, which has always been the cornerstone of the advancement of Bahraini women, as well as for the support of the Government under His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, which has ensured opportunities for institutional development, progress, distinction, and leadership for Bahraini women.
In a speech at the 2025 Bahraini Women’s Day celebration, celebrated this year under the theme "Bahraini Women: Distinction, Creativity, Innovation", HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim highlighted the significance of the occasion which coincides with the Kingdom of Bahrain hosting the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council states for the 46th GCC Summit, as well as the start of the national celebrations for Accession Day and the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day. Her Royal Highness emphasised that these occasions bear strong national values and reflect the country’s trust in its citizens, both men and women, and reiterates the nation’s commitment for its homeland.
HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim noted that the Kingdom celebrates the achievements of its women in distinction, creativity, and innovation, recognising the regional and international awards they have received as a result of their leadership and distinction. Her Royal Highness underlined the importance of institutional support, which encourages and facilitates women’s participation in multiple domains, as well as political will that opens broad opportunities in recognition of women’s competence. Her Royal Highness added that this approach reflects the efforts of the SCW and the directions of the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women (2025–2026), embodying the Council’s vision for leadership, sustainability, and continued excellence for women.
HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim added that the SCW is entering a new phase coinciding with its silver jubilee, marking its institutional work since 2001. Her Royal Highness emphasised the importance of maintaining national duties, participating in comprehensive development programmes, and cooperating with partners to implement the Council’s strategy and national plans in line with Bahrain’s Vision 2050. HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim noted the need to preserve the qualitative achievements attained by women at the national level and to continue advancing and achieving while keeping pace with modern technological developments.
HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim concluded by commending all Bahraini women who have fulfilled family and community responsibilities while continuing to achieve success, noting their ongoing contributions to society. Her Royal Highness wished Bahrain continued success and prosperity under its leadership.
A film was then shown on Bahraini Women’s Day 2025, highlighting the roles of Bahraini women across multiple sectors, their achievements extending internationally, and key milestones in their professional journeys.
Afterwards, the women honoured on this occasion then proceeded to greet HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim. Her Highness Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, member of the SCW, Dr. Shaikha Mariam bint Hassan Al Khalifa, Vice President of the SCW, and Lulwa Saleh Al Awadhi, Secretary General of the SCW, also presented awards to the women who had received regional and international recognition.
In alphabetical order, the honourees were: Amina Abdulmajeed Al Hawaj, who has received three awards: Best Inventor at the Istanbul International Inventions Fair from the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office in 2016, an award at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions in 2015 from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the Swiss government, and the Best Woman Inventor in the World award in 2011.
Dr. Hayat Abdulla Yusuf, recipient of the Leadership Excellence for Women in Oil and Gas (LEWAS 2021) Award, granted by the LEWAS initiative. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Arrayed, recipient of the State of Kuwait Prize for Research in Health Promotion in 2009 from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Shaima Shawqi Al Meer, recipient of the "Woman Innovator of the Year Award-Below 35 Years" award at the fourth International Inspirational Women Awards 2023 from GISR, an international organisation dedicated to women’s empowerment, innovation, leadership and community-based research.
The recognition also included Aisha Khalid Al Harram, recipient of the "20 Under 35" Leaders in Space award for 2023 from the Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI); Dr. Mariam Athbi Al Jalahma, recipient of the 2023 Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion from the WHO; and Dr Maha Mahmood Al Subaie, recipient of the L’Oréal–UNESCO "For Women in Science" Middle East Regional Award in 2016 from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
These Bahraini women were selected according to the criteria approved by the supervisory committee for the 2025 Bahraini Women’s Day honours. The criteria required that the awarding body be a recognised regional or international institution; that the award be granted on the basis of clear, declared conditions; that it be judged by a panel of qualified experts; that the achievements of the Bahraini woman go beyond her routine job duties, reflecting outstanding personal excellence, creativity and innovation with impact beyond Bahrain; and that the award be of high calibre and linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
In its selections, the supervisory committee focused on distinction, creativity and innovation in modern scientific and technical domains, as well as in health, economic, educational, energy and space sciences. Given the specific nature of these excellence and innovation standards, the SCW aims through this initiative to further encourage Bahraini women to excel, create and innovate in the future.
During the ceremony, institutions that supported and sponsored Bahraini Women’s Day 2025 were also honoured. These were Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, Bapco Energies, National Bank of Bahrain, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), Bahrain Islamic Bank, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, GFH Financial Group, Al Salam Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, SICO Bank, Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company (ASRY), Sanad Financial Services, and the Isa Cultural Centre.