Council of Representatives and SCW Discuss Collaborative Efforts
Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, emphasized the significance of effective and constructive collaboration with the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) to promote the advancement of Bahraini women in all areas within the framework of the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Al Musallam praised the government's endeavors, under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in implementing public policies and programs that support women. He affirmed that Bahraini women have fortified their role and participation in the nation-building process through their competence and excellence.
The Speaker of the Representatives Council also commended the efforts of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of His Majesty the King and President of the SCW. She has been instrumental in strengthening the leadership of Bahraini women across various sectors through pioneering national programs and strategies aimed at enhancing their roles and contributions. These efforts align with the objectives of the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women and the integration of their needs in the sustainable development process.
These statements were made during a meeting with Hala Mohammed Al Ansari, the SCW Secretary-General, and her accompanying delegation.
Al-Ansari stressed the necessity of enhancing collaborative efforts between the SCW and the Council of Representatives to advance Bahraini women and emphasize their distinguished status. She pointed out that the accomplishments of Bahraini women within the comprehensive development process initiated by His Majesty the King underscore the success of the effective and serious partnership between the two councils, rooted in the National Action Charter and the Constitution.
The SCW Secretary-General praised the legislative branch's role as a key partner in implementing the National Gender Balance Model and monitoring the performance of the executive branch in integrating women's needs in development. This collaboration is essential, as the legislature is a partner and ally of the SCW in implementing the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women.
Al Ansari also highlighted the importance of lawmakers using the "Parliamentary Toolkit" on Mainstreaming the Needs of Bahraini Women in National Development. This toolkit serves as a vital reference for all development sectors, measuring the impact of Bahraini women's participation in these sectors. She emphasized the importance of the coordination committee between both councils in identifying priority laws that require review or amendment as part of their ongoing cooperation to integrate women's needs into development.
The delegations from the Council of Representatives and the SCW discussed their joint cooperation, the programs and projects of their coordination committee, and legislative support to achieve the goals of the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women and gender balance committees in both councils.
Furthermore, they explored a draft project aimed at activating the SCW's national model, serving as a comprehensive mechanism to monitor, measure, and assess national efforts to achieve gender balance.