Women

Have you ever wondered how empowering half its population can transform a nation? The Kingdom of Bahrain provides a compelling example, demonstrating its commitment to empowerment and advancing women's rights. As a leader in promoting gender equality in the Middle East, Bahrain has made significant strides in fostering equal opportunities and integrating women into every aspect of development. This progress is grounded in the National Action Charter and the amended Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which contain clear provisions supporting the active participation of Bahraini women.

Established through Order No. 44 in 2001 and its amendments, the Supreme Council for Women directly reports to His Majesty the King. Serving as the central advisory body on women’s issues, the Council is responsible for proposing policies to enhance women's roles in both constitutional and civil society institutions. It oversees the implementation of these policies and provides guidance to relevant authorities. This highlights Bahrain’s dedication to fostering women’s active involvement in national development.

Endorsed by His Majesty the King in 2005, the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women (Arabic only) is a pioneering strategy for women in the Arab world. This comprehensive plan serves as a roadmap for fostering community partnerships and coordinating national efforts across legislative, executive, and judicial authorities. It aims to enhance family stability and empower women to actively contribute to and compete in national development. The plan emphasizes providing opportunities for improved quality of life, exceptional performance, and lifelong learning through a commitment to equal opportunities and gender balance.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is dedicated to advancing digital literacy among women, recognizing the essential role of technology in today’s evolving landscape. Both the public and private sectors have introduced initiatives to bridge the gender gap and enhance women's digital skills. Bahrain's efforts have garnered global recognition, with the Kingdom leading in several categories of  the 2022 Inclusive Internet Index, which evaluates national policies for women's digital inclusion and skills development. The Women in FinTech Committee particularly focuses on increasing Bahraini women's participation in financial technology. This initiative aims to bolster their competitiveness, align with national digital economy objectives, and achieve gender balance in the fintech sector, thereby strengthening Bahrain’s global economic standing.

The Kingdom of Bahrain Government is working diligently to advance women's capabilities and empower them to assume influential roles across various sectors. Through a series of initiatives designed to overcome barriers and increase female representation in leadership positions, Bahrain has achieved notable results. The Kingdom scored 68.1% on the Women, Business and the Law 2024 index, which evaluates 190 economies based on the life cycle of a working woman.

Bahraini Women’s Day, celebrated annually on December 1st, recognizes the vital contributions of Bahraini women in advancing gender equality and shaping national development. This day honors their essential role in nation-building and their significant impact on society.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024, Bahrain ranks 92nd out of 146 countries in closing the gender gap in educational attainment. The Kingdom has effectively addressed disparities in primary and secondary education literacy and higher education enrollment. The report also highlights Bahrain as the gulf region leader in the area of women holding ministerial positions, with a global ranking of 76th in this category. These achievements underscore Bahrain’s dedication to providing equal opportunities for women when it comes to education and careers.

In recent years, women’s participation in parliamentary and municipal elections has significantly increased. In the November 2022 elections, 48% of women cast their votes, resulting in the election of eight women to the Council of Representatives, making up 20% of its members and raising female representation in the legislative authority to 23%. The rise in women's political participation reflects Bahrain's commitment to a more equitable and inclusive society, with women playing a vital role in the Kingdom’s advancement.

Bahrain also achieved significant progress in supporting Bahraini families' wellbeing, particularly by supporting maternal and child health. The government established a robust healthcare system that offers quality, accessible medical services, prioritized prenatal care, maternal education, and vaccination programs to support healthy infant development and ensure the wellbeing of expectant mothers. Additionally, Bahraini women benefit from prioritized housing services and eligibility for state benefits.