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SCW celebrates the achievements of Bahraini women throughout the years
The Kingdom of Bahrain celebrates Bahraini Women’s Day on December 1, an annual national occasion launched in 2008 by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) under the slogan, "I Read.. Learned.. Participated".
Over the past 16 years, the occasion has grown significantly, reflecting the expanding role of Bahraini women in key sectors. Women have successfully demonstrated their abilities, serving their families and contributing to the nation’s progress alongside men, fostering a progressive society that upholds gender balance and equality.
Under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, this year’s celebration marks the 23rd anniversary of the SCW. HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim has approved this year’s theme, "Women, worthy partner in nation building", aligning with the National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, endorsed by HM the King.
The theme underscores the historic and evolving role of women in Bahrain’s development, consistent with the nation’s principles of justice and equality. These values form the cornerstone of the SCW’s work, which has supported His Majesty the King’s approach to empowering women. The council continues to uphold its commitment to ensuring that women’s contributions align with the trust and confidence placed in them by Bahrain’s leadership.
Women and Education
The significance of Bahraini Women’s Day is further highlighted by the inaugural celebration in 2008, held under the patronage of HM the King. His Majesty the King visited the SCW headquarters on December 16, where he delivered a speech commemorating the National Day and Bahraini Women’s Day. On this occasion, HM the King awarded Her Royal Highness the Isa Medal of Excellence.
Her Royal Highness also made a visit to Al Manama Primary Girls’ School, Bahrain’s first secondary school for girls, to emphasize the importance of preserving and restoring historic public schools as symbols of education in the Kingdom. The theme for that year, "80 Years of Formal Education and Achievement," celebrated the 80th anniversary of formal education for Bahraini women.
Women in Healthcare
In 2009, Bahraini Women’s Day focused on women in the healthcare sector under the theme "Women and Health Security: Midwife, Nurse, and Doctor". HRH Princess Sabeeka chaired a ceremony at the College of Health Sciences in Salmaniya Medical Complex, where she highlighted the progressive role of Bahraini women in advancing healthcare and safeguarding community health. The event honored the first women in Bahrain’s healthcare sector and included a photo exhibition showcasing the contributions of Bahraini women in medicine and health services over the years.
Women and Volunteer Work
In 2010, Bahraini Women’s Day celebrated the role of women in volunteer work under the theme "Bahraini Women and Volunteer Work: 55 Years of Participation and Giving". The event honored the contributions of Bahraini women in volunteer work in the Kingdom since 1954, recognizing their significant impact on national development. During the celebration, leading women’s associations in the field were recognized, and two key initiatives were launched: the Volunteer Work Register and the HH Shaikha Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa Award for Youth Voluntary Work.
Economy
In 2011, the theme was "Bahraini Women in Economic Development: Partnership and Giving", highlighting women’s participation in the Kingdom’s economic progress. The event, which marked the 10th anniversary of the SCW’s establishment, was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness. Institutions that supported the SCW’s initiatives over the decade were honored. The celebration also featured the launch of the Imtiyaz initiative for young women entrepreneurs, the opening of the Gallery 45 exhibition for young businesswomen, and a comprehensive economic forum on women's participation in business and the economy.
Sports
In 2012, Bahraini Women’s Day celebrated women in sports under the theme "Women and Sports: Will, Achievement, Aspirations". The event, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Sabeeka, recognized the accomplishments of Bahraini women in athletics. Key activities included the Bahraini Women’s Sports Tournament, featuring ten sports, as well as roundtable discussions, workshops, and a traditional games championship. The celebration showcased women’s achievements in sports and their growing role in advancing the Kingdom’s athletic landscape.
Media
In 2013, Bahraini Women’s Day focused on the contributions of women in the media under the theme "Women and Media." The celebration highlighted women’s achievements in the domain and documented their journey in media professions. Activities included the launch of the Media Rally competition to inspire impactful media content addressing women's issues, and the youth forum on Women and Social Media, which trained nearly 200 young participants. A media forum on women’s portrayal in Arab media was also held, fostering collaboration among women in the domain across GCC countries.
Military Sector
In 2014, Bahraini Women’s Day celebrated women in the military under the patronage of His Majesty the King. The event, held at the Isa Royal Military College, honored the significant contributions of Bahraini women in the military over 40 years. It recognized their roles across various military sectors, earning leadership and administrative roles and reaching high-ranking positions. The event included a Gulf Women in the Military Forum and an exhibition titled "Women in the Military: Achievements and Contributions".
Financial and Banking Sector
In 2015, Bahraini Women’s Day focused on women in the financial and banking sectors. The event, held at the Bahrain Bourse under the patronage of Her Royal Highness, honored long-serving women professionals and those who had reached senior leadership positions within financial and banking institutions. Her Royal Highness toured an exhibition featuring historical photographs of women in the financial sector, highlighting their rise to prominent roles, including chairing boards of banks and financial institutions. The celebration also featured the Women in Financial and Banking Sector Conference, reflecting the substantial contributions of Bahraini women to establishing Bahrain as a leading regional and global financial center.
Legal Sector
In 2016, Bahraini Women’s Day honored women in the legal field under the theme "Women and the Law: Achievements, Challenges, and Aspirations." The event was held at the Constitutional Court under the patronage of HRH Sabeeka bint. It featured the third National Conference on Bahraini Women, which highlighted women’s contributions to the legal sector. Initiatives launched during the celebration included the Women in Law portal at the Supreme Judicial Council and a dedicated section for women’s legislation within the Legislative and Legal Opinion Authority. The event recognized women’s growing influence and achievements in the legal field while addressing opportunities for further development.
Engineering
In 2017, Bahraini Women’s Day celebrated women in the engineering sector, recognizing their contributions over nearly four decades since the 1970s. The event highlighted the accomplishments of Bahraini women in both traditional and emerging engineering disciplines, such as computer and aerospace engineering. It underscored their significant presence and competence in these specialized domains. The event showcased the progress women have made in the engineering profession, affirming their ability to excel and innovate across diverse technical domains.
Legislative and Municipal Work
In 2018, Bahraini Women’s Day focused on women in the legislative and municipal sectors, highlighting their contributions to public service and political participation. The theme reflected women’s historic involvement, which began with Bahrain’s first municipal elections in the 1920s. The celebration emphasized the significant achievements of Bahraini women in legislative and municipal roles, recognizing their ability to influence public affairs and contribute to political development. Key events included an international conference on women’s political participation and its role in achieving sustainable development, the launch of an electoral consultation program for women, and an interactive youth initiative titled "Youth Voices 2030" to promote awareness of the electoral process.
Higher Education and Future Sciences
In 2019, Bahraini Women’s Day celebrated women in higher education and future sciences, coinciding with the centenary of formal education in Bahrain. The event highlighted the significant achievements of Bahraini women in academia, research, and leadership within higher education institutions. Women’s advancements in future sciences, including their contributions to innovation and emerging technologies, were also recognized. The celebration featured the launch of the National Initiative for Gender Balance in Future Sciences and Bahrain’s first women’s hackathon, titled "Challenge and Innovation," showcasing the nation’s commitment to empowering women in pioneering fields.
Diplomatic Work
In 2020, Bahraini Women’s Day honored women in the field of diplomacy, coinciding with Bahrain’s celebration of over 51 years of organized diplomatic service. The event highlighted women’s contributions to diplomacy, showcasing their success stories, addressing challenges, and promoting gender balance in the sector through best practices.
Women in National Development
In 2021, Bahraini Women’s Day was celebrated under the theme "Bahraini Women in National Development: A Journey of Progress in a Giving Nation." This theme underscored the integral role of women in Bahrain’s national development, reflecting their long-standing contributions to advancing the Kingdom’s progress. The celebration highlighted women’s participation across various sectors, recognizing their achievements and reinforcing their role as essential partners in the nation’s growth and prosperity. The occasion affirmed Bahrain’s commitment to empowering women and ensuring their active involvement in building a brighter future for the country.
Comprehensive Achievements
In 2022, Bahraini Women’s Day focused on showcasing progress and success stories. The celebration emphasized the substantial advancements made by Bahraini women across various domains over 14 years of observing Bahraini Women’s Day. It also aimed to promote innovative practices, encourage personal development, and create sustainable contributions that enhance social stability and economic well-being. The theme reflected the Kingdom’s dedication to supporting women’s development and integrating their achievements into the broader framework of national development goals.
Women in Comprehensive Development
In 2023, Bahraini Women’s Day was celebrated under the theme "Women in Comprehensive Development," reflecting women’s significant role in the nation’s progress. The event highlighted women’s significant contributions to all aspects of development, showcasing their achievements and the prestigious status they have attained in various fields. The celebration underscored the impact of HRH Princess Sabeeka’s leadership of the SCW, which has advanced full partnerships for Bahraini women in national development. It reflected the comprehensive integration of women’s roles in achieving Bahrain’s developmental aspirations.
Women, Worthy Partner in Nation Building
In 2024, Bahraini Women’s Day adopted the theme "Women, Worthy Partner in Nation Building," reflecting the National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, endorsed in 2005 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. This year’s celebration coincides with Bahrain’s silver jubilee commemorating His Majesty’s accession to the throne. The theme highlights the essential role of women in the Kingdom’s progress, emphasizing their integral contributions to national development and their deserved recognition as equal partners in shaping the Kingdom’s future.
The annual celebration of Bahraini Women’s Day serves as a platform for the SCW to further its efforts in reinforcing women’s presence across various sectors. It facilitates collaboration with partners to ensure the effective implementation of outcomes and the achievement of shared goals. The Council builds on this rich tradition each year, transforming the occasion into a continuous program that promotes women’s participation, accumulates their achievements, and enhances their contributions to Bahrain’s prosperity and development throughout the year.