Second Bahrain women's conference set for October

The second conference for Bahraini women will be held in October 2013, it was announced today. The event will be convened under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women. "This year's conference will be held under the slogan "Integrating Women's Needs in Development", SCW Secretary-General Hala Al-Ansari said. The Supreme Council for Women is organizing the conference in tandem with Bahrain Women's Union and committee in charge cooperation between the SCW and the women's commissions. The event is in line with edict (1) for 2007, which was issued by HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, stipulating the organization of a women's conference every three years. The first edition of the conference was held under the theme "Integrating Women's Needs in Comprehensive Development Programmes.. Role of National Efforts.. Equal Opportunities, Justice and Progress for All". The conference will assess the implementation of the national pilot programme to integrate women's needs in development programmes and the efforts of the executive and legislative authorities in this regard. The conference research papers will also emphasize the role of community partnership in promoting the culture of integrating women's needs in development programmes. The pivotal role of the private sector and civil society institutions in promoting the national pilot programme will come under scrutiny. Ms. Al-Ansari extended thanks to all ministries and government departments for launching initiatives aimed at promoting the status of Bahraini women. A total 19 equal opportunities units have so far been established at the Ministry of Social Development, the Shura Council, the General Organisation for Youth and Sport, the Information Affairs Authority and the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning. Similar units have also been set up at the ministries of foreign affairs, labour, works, culture, housing, health, finance, industry and commerce, education and transport in addition to the National Oil and Gas Authority, the Parliament, the Economic Development Board and the Gull Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC).