By Nayla Barakat
The Kingdom of Bahrain recognised the services being rendered by the women volunteers by extending helping hands to the underprivileged families and individuals.
The first lady Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Chairwoman of Supreme Council for Women awarded memento to volunteers at a ceremony organised by the Council.
The event titled “Bahraini Women and Voluntary Work …55 Years of Participation and Contribution” was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander at the Isa Cultural Centre. During the ceremony a new award was launched by HRH Princess Sabeeka to encourage youngsters towards voluntary works.
The award is named after Shaikha Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa, the wife of the late Amir Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. HRH Prince Salman, Princess Sabeeka and His Majesty King’s Personal Representative, Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa also toured an exhibition displaying the various women’s societies development through many years.
The Crown Prince lauded the efforts of Princess Sabeeka to empower Bahraini woman and promote their status, being an indispensable pillar as stipulated in the National Action Charter, the very basis of Bahrain’s Constitution.
“Woman’s dedication stems from a firm belief in her importance as an essential element in building society and ensuring its progress,” Shaikh Salman said.
He stressed the long and steady march of voluntary work in promoting social values, inspired by religious and noble humanitarian feelings. The event also marked the anniversary of the first women society, the Bahrain Young Ladies Society, which was established in 1955 and also featured a documentary movie titled “Bahraini Women 55 Years of Participation and Dedication”.
“Today, we are just not celebrating Bahraini Woman’s Day, but pioneering women’s 55 years of participation in voluntary work,” Princess Sabeeka told the audience. “We must acknowledge women who are pioneers in voluntary works that led their lives fulfilling the needs of others giving it the first priority and not even thinking of any rewards.”
“The contribution of those women was the strength behind Bahrain’s future, that we are proud to see continuing our progress,” the first lady added. Princess Sabeeka said that the Bahraini women carried out the voluntary work just like any work, keeping it going over the decades without any interruption.
“Besides the charitable work, the women stepped forward as supporters of education, health and asked for their rights and currently they are being encouraged to serve the public sector,” she said.
“If the prosperity of the homeland is a woman’s goal, than she is able to fulfill it come what may. The charitable work is not part of involving oneself due to boredom, but a commitment and sensing the need and respect for others,” she said.
“Now starts the role of our daughters today to proudly take up the job of serving the country and continue the story of success that began 55 years ago, passing this tradition from one generation to another keeping in line with Bahrain’s development plan.”
Encouraging the Bahraini youngsters, Princess Sabeeka launched the first youth voluntary award under the name of the late Amir’s wife. She said since Shaikha Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa, the wife of the late Amir Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was a pioneer in charitable work, therefore the award is named after her.
The first lady honoured the following societies: Bahrain Young Lady Society, Children and Mothers Welfare Society, Awal Women Society, Rifaa Cultural Charity Society, Al Reef Young Lady Society and International Ladies Association.
This award which will be open for both male and female Bahrainis between the age group of 15 to 35 years will be supervised by the Supreme Council for Woman. Also the Council opened a new voluntary work database that is aimed to collect information on all female voluntary workers in the Kingdom through its website: www.scb.gov.bh.
Bahrain Women Union Chairwoman Mariam Al Ruwaei addressed the ceremony paying tribute to Princess Sabeeka for her efforts. She urged Bahrain women’s status to be promoted even further through amending laws and legislations to ensure full equality and stamp out all forms of discrimination.