Bahrain in UN’s celebration of the International Women's Day

Member of the Supreme Council for Women, Second Deputy Chairperson of the Shura Council, Dr. Bahiya Al-Jishi participated in United Nations (UN) celebration of the International Women’s Day organized by the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN’s Headquarters in New York to coincide with its participation in the 57th session of the violence against women. Among the participants in the ceremony was UN’s Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, who pointed out in his statement the importance of celebrating such a day, which enables women to enjoy having their human rights in the light of the obstacles facing them. Ban Ki Moon also highlighted that violence against women is considered a violation in spite of the income, the social environment, and the existence of war or peace. He stressed the importance of gathering information, which helps to provide legal aid and increase protection plans. Ban Ki Moon also reinforced the need for international solidarity to stop the violence, and called on world leaders to join the World Commission against violence, and also stressed the right of women and girls in education, full equality and full citizenship rights. During discussing the file of the Status of Women in the 57th session allocated for elimination of violence against women at UN’s headquarters in New York, Dr. Al-Jishi said that the issue of women’s rights in Bahrain attains a great concern through the national strategies and policies of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Dr Al-Jishi also pointed out that the national strategy to raise Bahraini women, was inaugurated by the Supreme Council for Women, and its work plan, and aims at empowering women and raise their abilities to improve their conditions and enable them to participate in public life and defend their rights. Dr Al-Jishi said that Kingdom of Bahrain, through the legislative authority, has reviewed the enforcing legislations and laws to eradicate any discrimination against women. Dr Al-Jishi also highlighted that the Kingdom is also one of the countries what incorporates the principles of the Convention, "CEDAW" in its national legislation, adding that Family Violence Act is currently before the legislature, and it includes deterrent penalties and mechanisms for the protection of the abused and whistleblowers. Dr Al-Jishi said that civil society institutions are considered a partner of the state in its efforts to promote the status of women and the provision of services, especially accommodation services and the protection of victims of violence including those with disabilities. Dr Al-Jishi said that Wife of the HM the King, HRH Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa’s Award to empower Bahraini Women is considered a pioneering initiative which formed an incentive to raise awareness for women’s rights and provide concern to eradicate the discrimination they suffer from. She also said that the pursuit of clearing the curriculum of any discriminatory provisions or stereotyped images of women and replace them with texts that reflect the modern image that are commensurate with the status of women in society. Dr Al-Jishi stressed that their next message is the protection of women against any violence or discrimination, but their message on the long run, is that women are enabled to acquire skills and knowledge of their rights to fiercely defend these rights, highlighting that education and economic independence form the basic guarantee and the protection for women against any exploitation or infringement on their rights. Dr Al-Jishi concluded her speech by stressing the need for the call to intensify awareness campaigns on this important issue and to clarify that the silence on violence, degrades the dignity of women.