ISO: BHR
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The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth
World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Secretariat.
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AS WRITTEN


SPEECH BY H.E. SHAIKH AHMED BIN SAQER AL KHALIFA,
UNDERSECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS 
AND HEAD OF THE DELEGATION OF THE STATE OF BAHRAIN 

AT THE FOURTH WORLD WOMEN'S CONFERENCE, 
BEIJING, CHINA, SEPTEMBER 4-15, 1995.


IN THE NAME OF GOD, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL

MADAM CHAIRMAN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HEADS AND MEMBERS OF THE 
DELEGATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF ARAB AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS: 

I have the honour to head my country's delegation to this important 
international forum, which is the Fourth World Conference on Women and 
deliver to you all the greetings from our Amir, His Highness Shaikh Isa 
bin Sulman Al Khalifa and his best wishes for the success of the 
conference and his hope that it will accrue benefits for the well-being 
of the people of the world. 

On behalf of the delegation of Bahrain, I would also like to express my 
gratitude to the People's Republic of China and its people for hosting 
this international forum. I wish to thank them for the arrangements made 
to organise this conference, which in effect has contributed to its 
success with lively discussions and debates. 

Honourable Ladies and Gentlemen:

This conference, like others such as the Environment Summit, Population 
Conference and the World Summit for Social Development highlights the 
active role played by the United Nations in the progress of mankind and 
in the search for common platforms to examine and seek solutions to the 
social and other problems of human beings of today's world. 

The State of Bahrain, through its participation in this great 
international forum, reiterates the importance and seriousness that it 
attaches to the affairs of women and the efforts being concerted to 
improve their status within the family. Our endevours in this connection 
are driven by the fact that the enhanced status of women is the basis 
and the nucleus of the family. We believe that education of children 
with high moral, religious and social values and provision of safety and 
security are central to the enhancement of their entity and to 
strengthen their relations with their children so that they can raise 
them with care and comfort. 

The Constitution of Bahrain, adopted in 1973, emphasises the importance 
of the family unit and issues relating to women. Article Five of our 
Constitution says, "The Family is the basis of the society, its pillars 
are religion, morality and patriotism; the law protects the legal entity 
and strengthens its ties and values, protects interalia, motherhood and 
childhood, raise the youth and protect against exploitation, cultural, 
spiritual and physical negligence." 

This Constitutional premise stems from a Grand Islamic Heritage, based 
on the sound Islamic Faith. As such, the Constitution forms the basis 
for human rights, reflecting a civilised and orderly progress of all 
aspects of life, establishing the principles of justice, freedom, 
equality, knowledge and social solidarity and according equal 
opportunities for all citizens. These are in fact, the prime goals of 
the State of Bahrain. 

Based on the belief that the Family is the nucleus of the society and 
women are the corner-stone of progress, the State of Bahrain spares no 
efforts to enhance and improve the status of women, both economically 
and socially, promoting them as integral members of the society. We also 
believe that education and employment play significant roles in 
fostering the status and role of women in the family and the society. 
Projects, plans and programmes are being implemented to expand the role 
of women in the country's labour force, so as to enable them to 
contribute to economic and social development of the country. In 
essence, our policies are guided by concepts of a highly civilised and 
humane system, which does not breach the norms set by the past, does not 
isolate itself from the present and does not stop to perceive the 
future. We are constantly guided by the Principles of Islam and its 
Honourable Laws, which are designed to accrue benefits to the people. 

The interest evinced by the international community on issues relating 
to women and the efforts to improve their lot have witnessed significant 
improvements since the 'UN Decade of The Woman' and the ratification of 
the Nairobi Strategies for the Promotion of Women by the Year 2000. In 
this process, concerted efforts are being exercised by various 
Government and Non-Government bodies in Bahrain, aimed at improving the 
standards of living of women and enable them to play their role 
effectively in the development of the economy and the society. 

The Comprehensive Country Report, which is now in your hands, reflects 
the strides achieved in the related areas since the 1980s and the 
successive developments to date. The statistical analyses indicate the 
significant role played by the women of Bahrain in building a modern 
society. 

One of the prominent aspects, which is perhaps worthy of mention here is 
the creative and successful role played by Non-Governmental 
organisations in voluntary work in the progress of women in the society 
in general and in the educational, cultural and social sectors in 
particular. 

Non-Government officials also operate a number of nurseries and 
developmental projects aimed at protecting mothers and children, apart 
from educating women in the field of employment and nursing their 
children. 

Our Government has implemented a series of measures to protect women 
against poverty and offering support to widows, those separated from 
their husbands and those whose husbands become disabled. There are 
special cases which provide for financial support to both husband and 
wife. These cases are constantly reviewed to determine the extent of 
help received, based on the needs of the family and other socio-economic 
developments. 

In response to the evolving trends, it is imperative that we should 
examine the role played by women in mobilising resources for continuous 
progress. Our society is currently undergoing changes, which can be 
classified into two broad categories. The first aspect is the change in 
social values, triggered by the openness and the influence on such 
openness on culture and traditions. The changes occurring in effect call 
for new responsibilities to be shared by women, in view of their unique 
position of molding the new generation. 

The second aspect purports a challenge- the challenge of enabling a 
larger participation of women in the nation's workforce. Low rates of 
participation of women in the employment market creates a structural 
imbalance which needs to be corrected. The process calls for educational 
campaigns on the one hand and creation of job opportunities on the 
other. Women should be aware incessant attachment to specific types of 
jobs and choosy attitudes will not help in the achievement of goals of 
development. 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

If we have succeeded in enhancing the status of women in Bahrain, made 
their role more active, enhanced their participation in the fields of 
work and production, in addition to their voluntary participation in the 
society without affecting their responsibilities in the family, then the 
continuance of such a mission with a futuristic approach requires 
additional efforts. Achievement of the goals set in the Nairobi 
Strategies should be aimed at a better integration of women and larger 
participation in the management of the society.

The first of such strategic goals should be to utilise all possible 
means and abilities to update rules and regulations, laws and 
legislative practices and make them more responsive in the promotion of 
women and their social status. Education of women through official and 
non-official efforts within the framework of the general policies for 
the elimination of illiteracy by the Year 2000 should also be properly 
addressed. We should also concert all our efforts to achieve integrated 
and comprehensive care of mothers and children, provide value added 
services in addition to health services. 

Finally, we should continue to find the means- organisational, legal, 
social and others- to ensure active and larger participation of women in 
the national workforce. 

Thank You, Ladies and Gentlemen for your patient hearing. I hope that 
this Conference will be a turning point in our efforts to promote the 
status of women. 

Wa Assalam Alekum Wa Rahmat Allah Wa Barakatuh.