Manama, June8(BNA) Deputy King His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa today visited Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Women, where he met Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and SCW President.
During the visit, His Royal Highness attended a briefing entitled “Bahraini Women – An Equal Partnership to Build a Sustainable Competitive Society” and praised the role of the Council and of Bahrain’s women in furthering development in the Kingdom.
His Royal Highness highlighted His Majesty King Hamad’s support for the Kingdom’s institutions for women, which are considered an important element of Bahrain’s reform agenda. The Deputy King commended the Council’s comprehensive range of initiatives for women, including political, economic, social empowerment, and family and professional support, in addition to youth awareness programmes.
His Royal Highnesses added that the active role played by the council in Bahrain’s communities demonstrates the progress that has been made in women’s development in the Kingdom. Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka expressed her gratitude to the Deputy King for visiting the Supreme Council for Women, and for his ongoing support for the council’s programmes and the development of women in Bahrain.
In this regard, Her Royal Highness added that the Supreme Council for Women is one of the key pillars of His Majesty King Hamad’s reform programme. She further highlighted that the continuous support of His Majesty the King, and his firm belief in the role of women, has had a clear impact on the participation of women in Bahrain’s society.
Her Royal Highness also highlighted that the council, with the support of His Royal Highness the Deputy King and the government, was able to contribute to the government’s development programme and implement principles of equal opportunities.
The Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Women, Mrs. Hala Al Ansari, then provided an overview of the council’s structure and strategic plans. Mrs. Al Ansari also outlined some of the challenges facing the council, and various ways in which they these challenges have been addressed.
The Deputy King then conducted a tour of the council, which included a training workshop and the Women’s Support Centre, one of the major interactive initiatives provided by the council. The Support Centre works to solve women issues, and supports women in guaranteeing their rights in line with the Kingdom’s Constitution. Their Highnesses Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, sons of the Deputy King, also attended the meeting.
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BNA 1807 GMT 2014/06/08