Manama: Support for Bahraini women in the nation-building process and particularly in the media has been highlighted by the First Lady, Princess Sabeeka Bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
In a message of gratitude to King Hamad, Princess Sabeeka who chairs the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) expressed thanks to the monarch for paying tribute to Bahraini women working in the media sector as they contributed to building the nation.
In his message on World Press Freedom Day, King Hamad singled out the role of Bahraini women.
“We pay a special salute to the Bahraini women who have aptly demonstrated their merit in the fields of journalism and the media,” King Hamad said. “They have reached the highest executive, administrative and media positions, which reflected the bright civilized face of our country in achieving equality between the sexes, and with the support of the Supreme Council for Women,” he said.
The SCW is the official body tasked with elevating the status of women in the kingdom by empowering them politically, socially and economically.
“Your praise of the Bahraini women’s responsible progress in the nation-building process is a source of pride,” Princess Sabeeka said in her message. “It is a great source of motivation and determination to exert further efforts. The special attention given to Bahraini women has resulted in numerous achievements and in s steady partnership that are clearly reflected in figures, statistics and successes.”
Last month, Maysa Al Dhawadi, the head of media follow up at the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) co-represented Bahrain at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Days in the Japanese capital where she presented a paper on the role of the media in times of crises.
The days are held annually in an European or Asian capital to highlight the Gulf identity and culture and promote GCC achievements in various sectors, including social, political and economic developments.
The SCW was established in 2001 and four years later, it launched a national strategy for the advancement of Bahraini women.
The Council also launched the Princess Sabeeka Award for Bahraini Women Empowerment to enhance the commitment of ministries, and public and private enterprises to promote non-discriminatory gender policies and to acknowledge programmes that support women to hold decision-making positions.
Bahrain has had two women ministers of information, Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al Khalifa and Sameera Rajab.
Several female reporters, journalists and columnists have achieved outstanding reputations in the print, audio and visual media, giving them a special status in the country and beyond.
In 2013, the Supreme Council for Women paid a special tribute to women in the media by honouring them throughout the year for their role and contributions.
In 2014, women in the armed forces were celebrated and in 2015, women in the financial and banking sector are being given the special annual distinction.
