Bahrain Advances Women’s Economic and Digital Empowerment Agenda

The Kingdom of Bahrain, represented by Lulwa bint Saleh Al Awadhi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), participated in the Arab preparatory meeting for the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). The meeting was held virtually under the theme: “Ensuring and Enhancing Access to Justice for All Women and Girls through Inclusive and Fair Legal Systems, Eliminating Discriminatory Laws, Policies and Practices, and Addressing Structural Barriers.”

The meeting was attended by ministers and representatives of national mechanisms concerned with women’s affairs from member states of the League of Arab States.

The first session reviewed the priority theme of CSW70, while the second session discussed the draft Arab statement to be presented at the commission.

Bahrain also took part in the 45th session of the Arab Women Committee of the League of Arab States, chaired by the State of Qatar, with the participation of representatives of national women’s policy mechanisms from Arab member states.

Discussions under the first agenda item focused on following up the implementation of the Sustainable Development Agenda in the Arab region (2023–2028). Participants reviewed the activity report of the Social Affairs Sector – Women’s Department – Technical Secretariat of the Arab Women Committee between the 44th and 45th sessions. Other topics included the Pink Portfolio Initiative to promote women’s health in the Arab region, combating violence against women, the Arab Women Excellence Award, climate change, capacity-building for members of the Gender Equality Subcommittee to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and the Arab Women Capital initiative.

The second agenda item addressed the Women, Peace and Security agenda, highlighting the Arab Women Mediators Network, the Arab Strategy for Prevention and Response to All Forms of Violence in Refugee Situations—particularly sexual violence against women and girls—along with the Emergency Committee for the Protection of Women during Armed Conflicts in the Arab region and updates on national action plans to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

The third item focused on women’s economic and social empowerment in the Arab region, including the technical and financial plan of the regional programme for women’s economic and social empowerment and the Arab Observatory for Women’s Economic Development. The fourth item discussed international and regional cooperation, as well as bilateral collaboration in the field of women’s empowerment.

In her address, Al Awadhi praised the efforts of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in supporting joint Arab action on women’s issues. She also expressed appreciation to Qatar for chairing the current session and to Palestine for presiding over the previous session.

Al Awadhi affirmed that Bahrain adopts a comprehensive national vision for women’s empowerment and advancement, based on integrating women’s needs into development policies and plans, promoting equal opportunities, and ensuring the sustainability of achievements. She noted that this vision is guided by the National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, endorsed by His Majesty the King in 2005, and translated into national plans centered on the gender balance model and equal opportunity integration.

She highlighted that these efforts have resulted in tangible progress in strengthening women’s status, with gender balance recognized as an official commitment within the Government Programme. This includes the establishment of 64 Equal Opportunity Committees across public sector ministries and institutions, as well as 26 committees within the private sector. The Supreme Council for Women, established in 2001, is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.

In alignment with the session’s agenda—particularly women’s economic and social empowerment—Al Awadhi stressed that Bahrain continues to implement initiatives aimed at advancing women, encouraging entrepreneurship, and expanding opportunities in the knowledge economy and future industries. The Kingdom is also working to increase women’s representation on boards of publicly listed companies, building on the success of its political empowerment programme, which enhanced women’s participation in government decision-making positions.

She further emphasized Bahrain’s focus on empowering women in emerging fields and digital transformation to keep pace with rapid global changes and strengthen women’s contributions to development and innovation.

Concluding her remarks, Al Awadhi invited committee members and representatives of national women’s mechanisms in Arab states to participate in the third edition of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women’s Empowerment. She also encouraged participation in a side event to be held during CSW70 in New York titled: “Gulf Women in Constitutions and Laws: Enhancing Rights, Justice and Public Policies.” The event will be organized by Bahrain in its capacity as Chair of the current session of the Standing Committee, in coordination with the GCC General Secretariat, and promoted in cooperation with UN Women.