Manama: The two committees responsible for implementing the cooperation agreement between the Shura Council and the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) convened for their inaugural meeting. The gathering was led by Lulwa bint Saleh Al Awadhi, Secretary General of the SCW and head of its committee, alongside Ejlal Essa Bubshait, head of the Shura Council's committee. Members of both committees and their respective working teams participated in the discussions, which focused on establishing the committees' working methods for the upcoming period.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the meeting centered on examining the cooperation agreement between the two councils and delineating the responsibilities and duties of the committees. The initiative aims to support the National Gender Balance Model, integrate women's needs into development strategies, and coordinate legislative requirements pertinent to women's issues. It also seeks to prioritize activities that align with these goals.
Al Awadhi highlighted the significance of the meeting with the Shura Council committee to ensure the effective implementation of the cooperation agreement. She stressed the meeting's objective to establish a consensus on the working methods and action plan, aiming to activate the National Model. This model is designed to promote equal opportunities and gender balance across national development programs, serving as a policy framework for policymakers, strategy planners, legislators, and government bodies.
She elaborated on how the agreement offers a mechanism for coordination with the legislative authority concerning the future directions of the National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women post-2026. This involves identifying legislative gaps related to emerging sciences and exploring legislation that can empower and support the position of Bahraini women amid these changes.
Bubshait expressed that activating the cooperation agreement marks a pivotal step in strengthening institutional cooperation, translating the agreement's coordination frameworks into practical actions that deliver results. This initiative aligns with the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the efforts of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa to enhance existing achievements and effectively address developments impacting women, families, and society.
She emphasized the attention and follow-up from Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, on implementing the agreement. She underscored the importance of evolving legislation to bolster women's roles and adapt to changes in family, social, economic, and political domains. Bubshait also noted that the agreement would facilitate stronger connections between legislative efforts and national expertise in women's affairs, fostering discussions on related legislation and identifying areas for legal framework development.
The committees discussed leveraging initiatives under the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women 2025-2026 to regularly review policies and legislation concerning women. This would ensure they meet practical needs and adapt to developments, pinpoint areas for improvement, and explore digital transformation and artificial intelligence to support these efforts.
The agreement stipulates the establishment of a committee by each side to oversee the implementation of the National Gender Balance Model and the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women 2025-2026. It includes providing the necessary legislative and regulatory framework to integrate women's needs through available tools and mechanisms, promoting equal opportunities and gender balance. Additionally, the agreement permits the Shura Council to invite SCW representatives to attend committee meetings and offer insights on bills and legislative proposals related to women.
The agreement also aims to foster cooperation between both parties in delegations and participation in local, regional, and international forums concerning women's affairs. This collaboration aims to showcase Bahrain's model of parliamentary work supporting women's participation in national development. It further includes organizing joint activities, events, and programs, as well as exchanging information, statistics, expertise, studies, and research related to legislative proposals affecting women.