On December 1st we celebrate Bahraini Women’s Day, a national occasion announced by His Majesty King Hamad in 2008 to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Bahraini women. This day underscores Bahrain’s commitment to gender equality and the vital role played by women in shaping the identity of our country. Bahraini women are considered a driving force of the country’s different sectors. Women have taken a leading role in developing the Kingdom’s political scene and economy following the National Action Charter of 2001 where they were given equal rights as part of the King’s reform process.
One of the key figures driving the progress of Bahraini women is Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the First Lady and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW). Under her leadership, the SCW has championed women’s rights, promoted equality, and implemented the National Strategy for the Advancement of Bahraini Women, a framework that has been instrumental in empowering women across all sectors.
This empowerment is evident in Bahrain’s political landscape. Women now occupy around 23% of seats in both houses of parliament. The 2022 parliamentary elections were historic, with eight women securing seats—breaking all previous records. In 2018, following two previous failures to win a parliamentary seat, Fawzia Zainal won the elections and made history as the first female Speaker of the Parliament (House of Representatives), this reflects the persistence and determination of Bahraini women.
It is significant to note that Bahrain has achieved this progress without resorting to a quota system. Instead, the political leadership has paved the way for women to rise naturally. Women were first appointed to the Shura Council and appointing the first female minister in 2005, helped women in steadily ascending to leadership roles, with five women currently serving as ministers. These milestones reflect a gradual yet consistent effort to normalize women’s participation in the decision-making process.
“Men and women alike, have the right to participate in public affairs and political rights including suffrage and the right to contest as prescribed by law.”
The National Action Charter, Bahrain’s Constitution
Beyond politics, Bahraini women are leaders in various fields, including education, business, healthcare, and civil society. Women’s participation in the workforce has reached nearly 50%. Bahrain also boasts one of the highest female literacy rates in the region at 93.4%, with 63.4% of postgraduate degrees being held by women. Bahrain’s first women civil society organisation was established in 1955, laying the foundation for women’s active role in society.
The Kingdom’s commitment to international conventions, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), further underscores its dedication to gender equality. The removal of reservations from this treaty in 2014 has strengthened legal protections for women, ensuring their rights are upheld. In 2023 Bahrain abolished article 353 of its penal code that allowed rapists to marry their victims. This is considered a highly progressive step for an Arab Muslim nation. In June 2024, the World Bank’s Women, Business and Law report marked a 30% increase in Bahrain’s index score since 2018. Bahrain came at 92.5% in the implementation of women’s rights in practice.
As we celebrate Bahraini Women’s Day, it is important to recognize the political will and vision of Bahrain’s leadership in fostering an environment where women can thrive. Bahraini women enjoy freedoms in dress, speech, and lifestyle, with laws in place to safeguard these rights. This stands in contrast to many regional norms. Amendments were made to traditional laws such as the law preventing women from night shift jobs, imposing longer work breaks for women with special needs and a ban on unequal pay have all played a vital role in strengthening the presence of women in the workforce. Bahraini women can drive during late hours of the night while feeling completely safe, a fact that tends to be widely spoken about in society.
The success story of Bahraini women is a source of national pride and an inspiration for the region. Wishing all our great women a very happy and prosperous Bahraini Women’s day.