Manama, Sept. 12 (BNA): The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) Member Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa has affirmed that women’s achievements in the Kingdom of Bahrain have taken a new course since His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s Accession to the Throne.

Speaking during in a seminar entitled “Enhancing women’s status and building the Silk Road,” organised by All China Women’s Federation (ACWF) in Yinchuan that , she pointed out that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain ensures the application of law and respect for rights and freedoms, including the principle of equality between men and women.

She highlighted the most important national efforts that have been achieved since the founding of SCW, under the leadership of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, saying that women have been able to participate in building the national development and contributed to the Kingdom’s progress.

Shaikha Hessa reviewed the most prominent programmes and initiatives related to women’s empowerment, integration of women’s needs in the development process and support their representation in decision-making positions, where women were able to become part of the legislative branch as MPs, as well as the launch of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa’s Award for Bahraini women’s empowerment.

Shaikha Hessa met with (ACWF) vice president Cui Yu and conveyed to her HRH Princess Sabeeka’s greeting and wishes of further success for ACWF, Praising it efforts in promoting the status of women and defend their rights.

She expressed hope that the bilateral cooperation will be enhanced through the exchange of expertise regarding the enhancement of women’s role in all fields and light will be shed on cooperation and investment opportunities.

SCW Director of Public and Foreign Relations of the Supreme Council for Women, Shaikha Deena Bint Rashid Al Khalifa gave a presentation about Bahrain’s efforts towards sustainable progress of the Bahraini women and achievement of the highest degrees of social and economic stability for her.

This seminar aims to develop friendly relations between national mechanisms related to women and women’s organisations in China and Arab countries, strengthen cooperation in the areas of gender equality and women’s development, exchange of experiences regarding the participation of women in the construction of the national economy and social development.

ACWF was founded on April 3, 1949 and it is a mass organisation dedicated to the advancement of Chinese women of all ethnic groups in all paths of life. Its mission is to represent and to protect women’s rights and interests, and to promote equality between men and women. Shen Yueyue was elected president of the All-China Women’s Federation (ACWF) at the 6th Session of the 10th Executive Committee Meeting of the ACWF in Beijing on May 7, 2013.

ACWF is a multi-tiered organization with local women’s federations and group members at every divisional level of government.

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BNA 1452 GMT 2015/09/12