Manama: August 22, 2025, signifies the 24th anniversary of the inception of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), established as an advisory entity under the aegis of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, a prominent advocate for the advancement of Bahraini women. Chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the Council acts as the national reference for women's affairs.
According to Bahrain News Agency, over the past 24 years, the SCW has achieved numerous milestones, cementing women's status and ensuring their involvement in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. These accomplishments align with the Council's forward-thinking vision, harmonizing with global advancements in women's empowerment while preserving Bahrain's national identity and values. These achievements were attained through collaboration with state bodies, the private sector, and civil society, backed by the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, through supportive legislation and initiatives.
The Council celebrates this anniversary with a history of achievements that prioritize women's empowerment as a national agenda under Royal patronage. Its programs and initiatives have addressed the needs of Bahraini women, promoting them to leadership roles and reinforcing their position as pivotal partners in development.
In 2025, the SCW introduced the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women (2025-2026), themed "Bahraini Women: From Empowerment and Progress towards Leadership." This plan emphasizes four priorities: family stability, decision-making, economic participation, and quality of life, each comprising initiatives covering policies, gender-responsive budgeting, awareness and training, audit and oversight, and monitoring and evaluation.
As part of this plan, HRH Princess Sabeeka issued Decision (1) of 2025 to form the Women's Committee in the Nursery and Kindergarten Sector, aiming to study women's conditions in this sector, propose general policies, and develop training programs to enhance early childhood education.
Additionally, the Council announced the establishment of women's support offices in social development centers across Bahrain's four governorates, improving access to support services. HRH Princess Sabeeka also issued Decision (6) of 2025, forming the Women in Media Committee to highlight women's achievements and Bahrain's progress in this field.
Her Royal Highness continued to support national events, including the World Businesswomen's Forum and Exhibition, the Shaikha Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa Award for Youth Voluntary Work, the 29th Bahrain Grand Holy Quran Recitation and Memorisation Competition, and graduation ceremonies at the Royal University for Women and Shaikha Hessa Girls' School.
Regionally, Bahrain hosted the second GCC Standing Committee on Women's Affairs meeting at the SCW headquarters, with delegations from all GCC states. The SCW participated in the "Developing Institutional Partnerships for Sustainable Development in GCC States" forum in Saudi Arabia, discussing institutional cooperation and regional partnerships.
Internationally, the SCW engaged in the third Middle East Sustainability Forum in Bahrain, attended by over 400 decision-makers and experts. It also participated in the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, launching the third edition of the HRH Princess Sabeeka Global Award for Women's Empowerment in collaboration with UN Women.
Nationally, the SCW continued initiatives like the "Imtiaz" Award for young Bahraini women entrepreneurs, promoting female talent in business. The Council strengthened national partnerships through memoranda of understanding with various ministries and the Royal Humanitarian Foundation to support women during emergencies and promote cooperation in gender equality.
The SCW signed an agreement with the Institute of Public Administration for joint training programs, enhancing leadership competencies and gender balance. It also signed a cooperation agreement with the Shura Council to reinforce gender balance efforts.
Looking ahead, the SCW remains committed to supporting Bahraini women's achievements, enhancing their participation in family, society, economy, and leadership, and ensuring their contributions' sustainability. The Council is dedicated to strengthening women's presence in leadership and decision-making while preserving Bahrain's values and social cohesion.