Bahraini Women's Day 2016 theme unveiled

Manama, Jan. 13 (BNA): Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), has announced that the Bahraini Women's Day 2016 will celebrate women in the legal and judicial fields. Bahraini women have proved outstanding ability to assume their leading role and attained many achievements which have reflected positively on their performance in the legal and judicial field, she said. HRH Princess Sabeeka affirmed that Bahraini women's constant keenness on entering the legal and judicial field, commitment to the sustainability of their participation and establishing themselves as a necessary option in terms of competence and experience, which are basic required for the judicial and legal sector in the kingdom, have entitled them to reach leadership posts in the in their institutions, within the framework of the existing support of the political leadership in the kingdom to women and its keenness on ensuring their effective participation, and thanks to the available equal opportunities in all fields of work. The SCW President stressed that Bahraini women's success in the legal and judicial fields indicates the positive changes taking place in the Bahraini society on the need to enhance women's contributions to various domains. It also reflects the tremendous efforts being exerted to integrate women's needs in the national development process, being partners that deserve to contribute to the kingdom's national building and modernisation, she added. HRH Princess Sabeeka lauded the march of Bahraini women in the legal and judicial field over more than forty years as legal consultants and lawyers. Since the 1970s, Bahraini women have held numerous posts in the legal sector, and reached the posts of Chief Prosecutor and judges, she explained, stressing that they should continue proving their competence. She urged continuous efforts to promote equal opportunities and integration of women's needs to ensure the sustainability of women progress, praising the establishment of equal opportunities units at the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Public Prosecution and the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission. HRH Princess Sabeeka made the statements as she received at the SCW's premises today the heads of legal and judicial institutions, in the presence of the President of the Supreme Judicial Council and President of the Court of Cassation Chancellor Salim bin Mohammed Al-Kuwari, the President of the Constitutional Court Shaikh Khalifa bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Public Prosecutor Dr. Ali bin Fadhl Al-Buainain, President of the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission Chancellor Abdulla bin Hassan Al-Buainain, as well as a number of women judges, lawyers working in the legal and judicial sector. The audience lauded HRH Princess Sabeeka's decision to allocate the 2016 Bahraini Women's Day to celebrate women in the legal and judicial field, noting that the move provides a good opportunity to highlight the national efforts which enhanced women's participation. It is also an opportunity to highlight Bahraini women's success stories in the sector and identify the available chances to motivate women and attract them in order to increase women's representation in legal and judicial sector and help them reach decision-making positions, those present said. They stressed that the female affiliates of the legal and judicial sector have played an effective role in implementing His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's Reform Project since the approval of the National Action Charter which confirmed Bahraini women's rights through clear and explicit constitutional provisions. The Supreme Council for Women had, during the fourth meeting of its fifth term, held on January 6, 2016, endorsed HRH Princess Sabeeka's initiative to devote this year's Bahraini Women's Day to celebrating Bahraini women in the legal and judicial fields. Statistics indicate that about 447 female lawyers are registered in Bahrain, or 53% of the total number of lawyers. Bahraini women also make up about 10% of judicial posts, including judges, Court president and members of the Constitutional Court. 5% of chief prosecutors in Bahrain are women. Regarding female judges and their equivalents, their number has risen to 21 over the past five years, marking an increase of 5%. These figure indicate that Bahraini women represent 9% of the affiliates of the Judicial Branch