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Shura Council, SCW sign agreement to advance women’s role in development
Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, and Dr. Shaikha Mariam bint Hassan Al Khalifa, Deputy Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), signed a cooperation agreement between the two councils.
The agreement aims to enhance coordination in the development and advancement of women’s affairs across constitutional and civil institutions, support their role in public life, and ensure their integration into comprehensive development efforts. It builds on existing cooperation through the Gender Balance Committee and other legal frameworks.
Al Saleh emphasised that the agreement marks a key step in strengthening institutional cooperation and joint efforts to develop policies and legislation that advance Bahraini women’s active participation across all sectors. He noted that this aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He also highlighted the importance of partnership with the SCW, commending its leadership under Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the SCW, in promoting women’s empowerment and integrating their needs into national development.
He added that the Shura Council prioritises national goals for women’s progress, recognising their key role in national development, and remains committed to supporting initiatives and legislation that uphold their rights, safeguard achievements, and enhance their role in decision-making.
On her part, Dr. Shaikha Maryam bint Hassan described the agreement as a key milestone in institutional cooperation, aiming to reinforce national partnership in supporting the advancement of Bahraini women and strengthening their presence in national arenas, particularly within the legislative sphere.
Dr. Shaikha Maryam bint Hassan Al Khalifa stated that the cooperation reflects the vision and guidance of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who champions integrated national efforts to empower women as equal and active partners in development and policy-making.
The agreement provides for each side to form a specialised committee to monitor the implementation of the national gender balance model. These committees will work to establish the necessary legislative and regulatory frameworks to integrate women's needs using the tools and mechanisms available within each party’s competencies, in line with the principle of equal opportunities and gender balance.
The agreement also allows the Shura Council to invite SCW representatives to attend meetings of its permanent and ad hoc committees to provide input on draft laws and legislative proposals related to women’s affairs.
The agreement further aims to enhance cooperation on delegations and participation in conferences and forums at local, regional, and international levels related to women’s issues, contributing to the promotion of Bahrain’s parliamentary experience in supporting women’s involvement in comprehensive national development. It also includes cooperation in organising joint activities, exchanging information, statistics, expertise, and conducting research and studies related to legislative proposals concerning women’s affairs.