HRH Princess Sabeeka Receives Pakistan First Lady Asifa Bhutto Zardari

Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women, received Asifa Bhutto Zardari, First Lady of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at the Council’s headquarters.

HRH Princess Sabeeka welcomed Asifa Bhutto Zardari and wished her a pleasant stay in the Kingdom of Bahrain. She highlighted the importance of the visit in strengthening cooperation between the two countries, particularly through the exchange of experiences and best practices in supporting women’s advancement. She noted that such cooperation contributes to shared goals of promoting equality and equal opportunities.

HRH Princess Sabeeka also praised Asifa Bhutto Zardari’s interest in the Global Award for Women’s Empowerment and her personal participation in a side event held during the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November 2025, which introduced the third edition of the award. She expressed appreciation for the First Lady’s address at the event, especially her emphasis that the award represents inclusion, equality and equal opportunities, and that women’s empowerment is not only a matter of justice but a key driver of sustainable development. She also welcomed Pakistan’s participation in the third edition of the award and wished all participants success.

For her part, Asifa Bhutto Zardari commended the leading role of the Supreme Council for Women and the efforts led by HRH Princess Sabeeka in promoting women’s empowerment, progress and active participation across various development sectors. She stressed the importance of benefiting from the Council’s experience and expanding channels for exchanging expertise and best practices to further enhance the status of women in both countries.

The meeting included a visual presentation introducing the Supreme Council for Women, outlining its responsibilities, objectives, and its national and international programmes and initiatives aimed at empowering women and strengthening their role in development.