Manama : The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) marks the silver jubilee of its establishment on August 22, 2001, as a prominent national milestone highlighting the achievements of Bahraini women and the progress made under the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who placed Bahraini citizens at the heart of development and ensured a legislative and institutional environment that enabled women to effectively and capably fulfil their national role.
The occasion coincides with the celebration of the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Isa Al Kabeer, commemorating the memory of His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Ruler of Bahrain and its Dependencies, and affirming the continuity of the national approach to institution-building and development. It also reflects the historical continuity of the modern Bahraini state, which has continued its progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty the King.
The occasion also comes as Bahrain prepares to celebrate Bahrain Women’s Day 2026, held under the patronage of His Majesty the King, which carries the slogan 25 years at the heart of the reform project.
The SCW’s commemoration of these national occasions reflects the royal appreciation for the qualitative advancement of Bahraini women, which began with the launch of the national civilisational and development project led by His Majesty the King and his support for women’s advancement, alongside the recognised support of the government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the close follow-up of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Consort of His Majesty the King and President of the SCW.
Lulwa bint Saleh Al Awadhi, Secretary-General of the SCW, affirmed that marking the SCW’s silver jubilee represents an important national milestone to recall 25 years of work and achievements under the reform project of His Majesty the King.
She noted that the position reached by Bahraini women today is the result of the royal vision that made women’s empowerment one of the key pillars of comprehensive development.
She said the establishment of the SCW on August 22, 2001, under Amiri Order (44) of 2001, amended by Amiri Order (55) of 2001, Amiri Order (2) of 2002 and Royal Order (36) of 2004, was aimed at consolidating His Majesty the King’s vision for women’s empowerment and enabling their wider participation in national and development fields.
This included the components of the National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, approved by His Majesty the King in 2005, which was developed on solid foundations deriving its legitimacy from a set of national principles and constants.
Al Awadhi noted that the leadership of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim represented a landmark in the SCW’s journey, as she led its institutional work through an integrated strategic vision and established a sustainable national approach to women’s empowerment. This contributed to consolidating Bahrain’s position as a leading regional and international model in supporting women and integrating their needs into national development.
She noted that over 25 years, the SCW succeeded in consolidating a culture of equal opportunities and translating women’s empowerment into national policies and programmes whose results were reflected across various development indicators.
The SCW’s impact was also evident in establishing an integrated work system that opened wider opportunities for Bahraini women to participate and contribute, strengthened their presence in public life, and enhanced their ability to turn their aspirations into tangible achievements serving the Kingdom and advancing its development.
Al Awadhi added that the SCW has ensured that its programmes and initiatives remain linked to current needs and future requirements by supporting qualification and capacity-building programmes, expanding opportunities for meaningful participation, and strengthening women’s presence in priority sectors. This reflects the evolving role of women as active partners in modernisation and development.
She expressed her aspiration for a new phase of achievements in which the SCW continues its national role in strengthening the gains of Bahraini women and consolidating their position as key partners in development and prosperity.
Since its establishment in 2001, the SCW has constituted one of the key pillars of His Majesty the King’s comprehensive development process. It began with a clear vision aimed at empowering Bahraini women and strengthening their presence across various fields of life, enabling them to become active partners in development and decision-making, based on the wise leadership’s support and the firm belief that societal progress begins with empowering all its sons and daughters.
Throughout its journey, the SCW has established an institutional approach based on planning, follow-up and impact assessment. It has also contributed to making women’s issues a standing priority on the national agenda, strengthening the sustainability of gains and ensuring their transition from temporary initiatives into established practices within Bahrain’s development process.
The SCW has played a pivotal role in strengthening women’s presence in decision-making positions, with Bahrain witnessing a notable increase in women’s participation in the executive and legislative branches, as well as the judiciary and diplomatic corps.
Women’s presence has also increased in the private sector, financial institutions, entrepreneurship, and the health and education sectors, affirming Bahraini women’s ability to compete and innovate across various fields.
In economics, the SCW launched numerous initiatives supporting working women and businesswomen, promoting equal opportunities and enhancing the capabilities of national female cadres. This has positively contributed to human development indicators and strengthened Bahrain’s position in international reports on women’s empowerment.
The SCW has attached significant importance to the Bahraini family as the basic building block of society through gender balance initiatives, family stability programmes, community awareness, and specialised studies and research, in addition to initiatives that promoted a culture of partnership and shared responsibility among members of society.
Twenty-five years after its establishment, the SCW reaffirms that Bahrain is moving confidently towards a brighter future based on investment in people, and the consolidation of justice, equal opportunities and sustainable development.
The SCW remains one of the most prominent outcomes of His Majesty the King’s comprehensive development process and a national beacon that has contributed to creating an inspiring Bahraini success story centred on empowering women and enhancing their role in building the nation.
The silver jubilee marks a new phase of national work, reaffirming continued royal support for Bahraini women and HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim’s continued commitment to developing the SCW’s journey and enhancing its achievements in line with the Kingdom’s aspirations for a more prosperous future.
Bahraini women, with their capability, contribution and dedication, will remain key partners in the comprehensive development process and a strong pillar in achieving Bahrain’s vision and aspirations in the coming decades.
