Manama, Sept. 7. (BNA) — In line with the belief of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), in the effective role of women in society, desire to support, empower and integrate working Bahraini women in national development plans and enhance their access to higher leadership and executive positions and commitment to the non-discrimination against women policy, the Secretariat-General of the SCW is pleased to announce the launch of the 4th edition of HRH Princess Sabeeka’s Award for Women Empowerment for 2013 to be among the mechanisms it adopts to consolidate the programmes and plans of public and private institutions to empower Bahraini women, according to the criteria and conditions required for winning it.

The nomination deadline is set for October 31, 2013.

About the Award:

In line with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s belief in and interest to enhance the Bahraini women’s status, the Royal Decree No. (5) of 2004 stipulating the establishment of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa’s Award for Women Empowerment was issued.

The Award is granted biennially to the ministries and public and private institutions which make distinctive efforts in the fields of support and empowerment of working Bahraini women.

Also, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, issued on June 8th, 2004 Edict No. (4) establishing the Nomination Committee of Her Award for Women Empowerment. The panel is in charge of proposing the criteria and conditions required for ministries and public and private institutions vying for the award, and determining its levels, categories and advantages.

Goals of the Award:

Encouraging ministries and public and private institutions to support and empower working Bahraini women and ensure balance between work and family duties.

Increasing rehabilitation and training opportunities for women.

Increasing the proportion of women in leadership and executive positions.

Contributing to the follow-up of national efforts to integrate women’s needs in the national development plans.

Ensuring the commitment of ministries and public and private institutions to the non-discrimination against women policy.

Characteristics of the Award

The winning institution receives an appreciation certificate presented by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain and President of the Supreme Council for Women.

The name of the winning institution is announced officially during a special ceremony.

The winning institution is granted a monetary reward to be allocated to supporting projects of training programmes benefitting working women.

The winning institution is given a shield bearing the logo of the award.

The winning institution is given posters of the award’s logo for use in its official documents for the period of two years.

The winning institution has the right to post the logo of the award on its building for two years, the period prescribed for the award.

Levels of the Award:

There are two prizes, one for the public sector and the other for the private one. They have the same features.

Terms of Application for the Award:

The bidding ministries and public and private institutions shall be operating in Bahrain.

Private institutions shall be officially licensed and committed to the kingdom’s laws.

Applicants should fill in an application form (original copy).

Applicants have to provide all the information needed for applying for the award.

Eligibility Criteria

First Criterion: the proportion of working women in the ministry/institution

The employment statistics shall show an increase in the number of women employees in the ministry or institution in a bid to achieve the principle of equal opportunities. The future plans should reflect that trend.

Second Criterion: the percentage of women in leadership positions

The extent at which the principle of equal opportunities is applied regarding holding leadership positions, promotions, grades, bonuses and incentives.

Third Criterion: Commitment to taking into account the integration of women’s needs in allocated funds and annual budgets

The extent at which budgets take women’s needs into account, integration of their needs in development programmes so as to achieve the equal opportunities principle.

Fourth Criterion: Commitment to providing training opportunities for women to upgrade their professional competence

Adherence to fair standards in order to apply the principle of equal opportunities in availing of training opportunities, scholarships and research grants for employees.

Fifth Criterion: Sponsoring outstanding female graduates through providing them with financial support or training

Attracting academically outstanding female cadres and training them, rehabilitating them or providing them with financial support to continue their studies so as to employ qualified cadres in the workplace.

Sixth Criterion: Commitment to involving women in delegations, conferences, external functions and official committees

Give women employees the chance to participate in conferences, seminars and workshops and represent the institution inside and outside the kingdom, and back their candidacy for the membership of regional and international organisations.

Seventh Criterion: the availability of support services for working women

Ensure reconciliation between women’s work and family duties, guaranteed by the constitution.

Eighth Criterion: supporting and contribution to women-oriented social activities

The support provided for institutions and programmes related to women so as to promote the culture of social responsibility.

Ninth Criterion: the institution’s contributions to developing sciences and research carried out by women

The volume of financial support for increasing women’s participation in developing sciences and research through allocating scholarships and supporting research conducted by Bahraini women.

International Jury:

An international Committee called the “International Jury of HRH Princess Sabeeka’s Award for Women Empowerment” and comprising representatives from some international organisations, was set up to give the award an international dimension and highlight its importance as a key initiative to support and consolidate women-oriented empowerment programmes. Its tasks are to supervise the nomination process according to the criteria set by the Nomination Committee and propose areas of development that can enhance the kingdom of Bahrain’s policies to incorporate women’s needs in development programmes.

Previous editions:

Winners of the Third Edition (2010): The Economic Development Board (EDB) was granted the public sector award, while Takaful International Company won the private sector one.

Winners of the Second Edition (2008): The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) won the public sector prize, while the Gulf Petrochemicals Industries Co (GPIC) was awarded the private sector one.

Winners of the First Edition (2006): General Organisation for Informatics was awarded the public sector prize, while Al-Ahli United Bank won the private sector one.

W H Q

BNA 1301 GMT 2013/09/07