Tashkent: Bahrain's parliamentary delegation took part in the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians' closed meeting on the sidelines of the 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Uzbekistan. The bureau praised Hala Fayez, a member of the Shura Council and Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, for her contributions over the past four years, noting her role in representing the bureau in numerous inter-parliamentary meetings.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting focused on initiatives by the Forum of Women Parliamentarians regarding equality and gender balance. It also reviewed the 40th anniversary celebration of the forum's establishment and the support provided by the bureau to women. Additionally, elections were held to fill vacancies in the office for the position of president and her deputies.
Fayez delivered a speech recognizing the bureau as a crucial platform for enhancing women's roles in global politics and stressing the importance of gender equality in governance. She underscored the office's efforts to boost women's representation through annual surveys and recommendations urging Arab delegations to include more women in political leadership.
She emphasized the bureau's importance as a venue to exchange ideas, discuss pressing issues, and learn from the experiences of women parliamentarians, thereby strengthening their roles in national parliaments. Fayez also highlighted the bureau's contribution to building and enhancing women's abilities by organizing virtual and in-person conferences that offer training in legislative drafting, strategic development, gender-sensitive policymaking, and leadership skills.
Drawing from her experience as a Bahraini parliamentarian and First Deputy Chairwoman of the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians, Fayez noted the significant impact on strengthening parliamentary relations. She mentioned the opportunity to exchange experiences with female leaders from various regions, which helped gain insights into the best international practices related to advocating for women's rights and their political roles.
In May 2021, the Bureau of Women Parliamentarians elected Fayez as the First Vice President of the Bureau.