News Centre
SCW participates in Sustainability Forum Middle East discussion panel
The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) participated in a panel discussion titled "Financing the Future - Empowering Women as Leaders in the Green Economy" held as part of the Sustainability Forum Middle East.
The panel discussion explored women's role in shaping a low-carbon economy, the challenges they face in accessing funding and investment, and strategies to advance gender-inclusive sustainable initiatives.
The session was moderated by Jessica Robinson and included contributions from Riham ElGizy, CEO of Voluntary Carbon Market; Afnan Rashid Al Zayani, SCW member; Victoria Barron, Chief Sustainability Officer at Gulf International Bank; and Halel Engineer, Managing Director at Environment Arabia.
Dr. Bahia Jawad Al Jishi, SCW member, opened the event, underscoring Bahrain’s commitment to integrating women into national climate strategies, ensuring their active participation in environmental decision-making, and promoting sustainable economic development.
Dr. Al Jishi highlighted Bahrain’s efforts to strengthen legislation, regulatory frameworks, and policies to eliminate discrimination against women, particularly in formulating and implementing policies related to climate change, the environment, and disaster risk reduction. She also underscored the importance of increasing women's leadership in organisations and executive bodies involved in these domains, as well as supporting female entrepreneurs in environmental projects.
Dr. Al Jishi highlighted the leading role of Bahraini women in environmental protection and climate security, noting their contributions to research and the development of sustainable strategies across key sectors such as renewable energy, green infrastructure, and resource management. She emphasised that through national policies and initiatives, Bahrain continues to enable women to actively shape climate action, drive innovation, and support sustainable development.
Afnan Rashid Al Zayani highlighted Bahrain’s approach, led by the SCW, in monitoring women's progress and integrating gender perspectives into national development. She noted that this strategy is guided by a clear vision and strategic methodologies, including formulating national policies on gender balance and implementing targeted action plans to ensure women's and families needs are met within government programmes and the broader national economy.
She pointed out that, in line with the SCW’s mandate, Bahrain launched the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, endorsed by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2005. The strategy includes ten key pillars, which focus on women and the environment.
Al Zayani also noted Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment, describing it as a culmination of Bahrain’s expertise in empowering women and tracking their progress.
Al Zayani emphasised that the award contributes to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by recognising projects in climate security and environmental sustainability. She also highlighted the "Imtiaz" initiative for young Bahraini women entrepreneurs, which supports emerging female talent across various domains, including environmental fields.