Women's strides in Bahrain and UAE highlighted

A joint delegation from the Equal Opportunities Unit at the Shura Council’s Secretariat-General and the Supreme Council for Women’s Secretariat-General, led by Dr. Fawziya Yussef Al-Jeeb, the Assistant Secretary-General for Relations, Media and Research Affairs, and including the SCW’s Director-General of Policies and Development, Shaikha Deena bint Rashid Al Khalifa, has visited the UAE’s Federal National Council (NFC).

The visit aims to exchange knowledge and expertise in the parliamentary work, enhance the principle of equal opportunities, shed light on Bahrain’s women advancement efforts, promote the equal opportunities at the national level and highlight the efforts of the Equal Opportunities Unit in consolidating women’s participation in the Shura Council’s Secretariat-General.

The delegation met the UAE’s NFC’s Speaker, Dr. Amal Abdulla Al Qubaisi, who lauded Bahrain’s regionally and internationally pioneering women support initiatives, noting Bahrain’s experience is rich and unique thanks to the direct support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and SCW President.

She stressed the importance of the achievements of women in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), calling for building on the landmark achievements of women in the UAE and Bahrain and promote their success stories regionally and globally.

She lauded the distinguished Bahraini-UAE relations, highlighting the existing cooperation and coordination between the UAE’s FNC and the Legislative Branch in Bahrain at various parliamentary gatherings.

Dr. Fawziya Al-Jeeb conveyed greetings from the Shura Council Chairman, Ali bin Saleh Al-Saleh, to FNC’s speaker, and his wishes of further progress and prosperity to the brotherly UAE.

She stressed that cooperation between the countries is progressing thanks to the support of their leaderships.

She called for enhancing cooperation and exchange of information and expertise among the secretariat-generals of GCC legislative councils.

Al-Jeeb also highlighted the achievements of the Equal Opportunities Unit at the Shura Council.

The delegation also met the UAE’s FNC’s Secretary-General, Ahmed Shabeeb Al-Dhahiri,and conveyed to him greetings from his Bahraini Shura Council counterpart, Abduljalil Ibrahim Al-Tarref.

They reviewed ways to enhance Shura Council-FNC cooperation, exchange of expertise in many fields, including women’s support, empowerment, in accordance with the equal opportunities principle and gender balance.

Bahrain’s experience in preparing and implementing women-supporting strategies and legislation, consolidation of the equal opportunities principle and the integration of women’s needs in development were highlighted during the meeting.

Members of the delegation appreciated the UAE’s efforts to enhance women’s role in society through activating their participation in the decision-making process and supporting gender balance efforts.