Goal 5
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 5: Gender Equality in Bahrain and Government Support for Women
Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Bahrain has made significant strides toward gender equality by implementing policies and programs that empower women in various sectors, including education, business, and government. The Bahraini government recognizes the vital role of women in national development and is committed to providing equal opportunities for women to contribute to the country's social and economic growth.
Key government initiatives supporting SDG 5 include:
The Supreme Council for Women (SCW): The SCW is Bahrain's primary organization dedicated to advancing women's rights and promoting gender equality. Established in 2001, the SCW designs and implements programs that support women in various fields, including entrepreneurship, healthcare, education, and government. It also advises policymakers on gender equality and women’s rights.
Bahrain’s National Gender Equality Strategy: Bahrain has implemented a comprehensive national strategy to promote gender equality in all sectors. This strategy emphasizes equal employment opportunities, protection of women’s rights in the workplace, and support for women in leadership positions. It aligns with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, which recognizes the need for an inclusive and diverse workforce.
Women in Leadership and Politics: Bahrain has made significant progress in increasing women’s representation in politics and leadership roles. Women hold various high-ranking positions in government, the judiciary, and the private sector. Initiatives such as leadership training programs and mentorship schemes are in place to prepare women for these roles.
Support for Women Entrepreneurs: To empower women economically, the government offers support programs for female entrepreneurs, including grants, business training, and networking opportunities. Partnerships between the SCW and financial institutions help women access the resources they need to start and grow their businesses.
Legal Protections and Rights: Bahrain has enacted laws to protect women’s rights and ensure their safety. Anti-discrimination policies, workplace rights, and protections against domestic violence are actively enforced, supporting a safe and empowering environment for women across the nation.
Through these initiatives, Bahrain's government is committed to advancing gender equality, supporting women’s empowerment, and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to participate in and contribute to society.
SDG 5 at Ahlia University: Empowering Women through Education
Ahlia University in Bahrain is dedicated to supporting gender equality and empowering women through education, professional development, and a supportive academic environment. The university’s initiatives align with SDG 5 and are focused on fostering an inclusive atmosphere where women can excel academically and professionally.
Equal Access to Education: Ahlia University provides equal access to education for all students, regardless of gender. Women are encouraged to pursue degrees across various fields, including traditionally male-dominated disciplines like engineering, information technology, and business. The university actively promotes diversity in enrollment, ensuring that women have opportunities to excel in all areas of study.
Scholarships and Financial Support for Women: Ahlia University offers scholarships that support female students, especially those who demonstrate academic excellence or financial need. These scholarships enable women to pursue their educational goals without financial barriers, empowering them to focus on their studies and career ambitions.
Women in Leadership and Faculty Positions: Ahlia University has a significant representation of women in leadership roles, including positions within the faculty and administration. The university supports the advancement of women in academia, providing mentorship and professional development opportunities for female faculty and staff. This commitment reflects Ahlia's dedication to creating a balanced and inclusive leadership team.
Women Empowerment Programs and Events: The university hosts events, workshops, and seminars that focus on women’s empowerment, leadership, and professional skills. These events include talks by successful female entrepreneurs, training on leadership skills, and panel discussions on gender equality. By offering these resources, Ahlia University fosters a supportive environment that encourages female students to aspire to leadership and impactful roles.
Research and Community Engagement on Gender Equality: Ahlia University is also engaged in research on gender equality and women’s issues in Bahrain and the broader region. The university’s faculty and students work on research projects and community initiatives that raise awareness about gender equality, contributing to policy discussions and community programs that support women’s empowerment.
Through these programs, Ahlia University is actively working toward SDG 5 by providing women with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed in both their academic and professional lives. This commitment to gender equality aligns with Bahrain’s national objectives and reflects the university’s role in shaping a future where women are empowered to lead and succeed.
Equity and diversity policy of Ahlia University
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/edi-policy/
Ahlia University, as a higher education institution, is dedicated to upholding equity within its diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This commitment aligns with Goal 4, which focuses on quality education, Goal 5, which promotes gender equality, and Goal 10, which aims to reduce inequalities. The university ensures that all individuals within its community are treated fairly and respectfully, following the principles outlined below.
Diversity
Appreciation and acknowledgement of differences amongst the members of the university community that promote acceptance and belonging, regardless of factors that span age, color, disability, employment status, ethnic or national origins, language, family status, marital status, race, religious or spiritual belief, gender, socio-economic circumstances and taste.
Equity
’A standard of treatment of people that involves reasonable efforts to ensure fairness in
decisions impacting all members of the university community. However, equitable treatment does not necessarily mean equal treatment as a range of interests impacting all parties need to be balanced.
I. Equity and diversity among the student body:
Ahlia University believes that all students, regardless of color, race, gender, nationality, religion, and physical or learning disability, have the right to the best educated. Admission to Ahlia University is selective based on prior academic achievement. The most qualified candidates ’ regardless of race, color, gender, religion, nationality or disability ’ will be selected to fill the UC Approved Paper No.: UC/P 685/2024 Equity and Diversity Policy ’ Version 2.0 Page 2 of 2 available places. In the course of student participation in the educational life at the university, academic and non-academic, Ahlia University is committed to a discrimination-free learning environment for all students based on principles of fairness and equity.
II. Equity and diversity among staff:
Ahlia University strives to treat its staff fairly by maintaining a healthy, safe and productive work environment which is free from discrimination based on any other factor that is unrelated to Ahlia legitimate interests. Ahlia University shall not tolerate any offensive, intimidating or inappropriate statements or behaviour undermining equity in the work environment. Harassment in all its manifestations is prohibited. Committed to applying an effective recruitment policy that is based on the principles of equity and fairness, and equal employment opportunity, Ahlia University shall ensure to identify, efficiently and effectively, the right candidates for vacancies in Ahlia and recruitment shall be based on qualifications, experience, and merit. Supervisors and managers are expected to ensure that work- related decisions regarding task allocation, compensation, performance evaluations, the administration of Ahlia benefits et. al. reflects principles of fairness and equity.
The University mandates that members of the University community pay heed to applicable codes of conduct as well as to the University’s Anti-Harassment Policy
Equal Opportunity
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/edi-policy/
Since inception, Ahlia University has championed equal opportunity and women empowerment. This is manifest in the University’s core values: Excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, collegiality, ambition, and engagement.
What do we do about inclusiveness?
We champion inclusivity, diversity, and equity both within and outside the institution. We strive to mainstream the principle of equal opportunity in all our operations, and in relation to all stakeholders.
In 2017, Ahlia University established an Equal Opportunity Committee as part of the university’s formal governance structure. The committee is chaired by the President and oversees/advises on all issues relating to the principle of equal opportunity.
EOC Purpose
To mainstream the culture and practice of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusivity across the University in line with the Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goal 5.
Equal Opportunity Plan
Equal Opportunity Plan Aims:
1. To promote the principle of equal opportunity through gender-responsive policy design that achieves coherent linkage with the national legislative/policy framework within the context of multilevel (international, nationally, organisational) policy frameworks on inclusion, equal opportunity and women empowerment.
2. To empower women by integrating their needs in development programmes.
3. To foster a safe and supportive work environment that ensures work-life balance, life-long learning, and competitiveness for women.
4. To collaborate with allies and partners to mainstream the culture of equal opportunity
5. to society at large.
6. To support national strategies as a progressive and model organization for women.
Initiative 1
Develop a systematic and sustainable approach to equal opportunity and women empowerment through institutionalisation of practice.
’ Create a centralised advisory body to oversee progress and institutionalise practice
’ Employ a targeted approach vis-’-vis professional development, capacity-building, and up-skilling programmes to redress gender imbalance issues
Initiative 2
Leverage partnerships for knowledge sharing and exchange of best practice in the areas of equal opportunity and women empowerment.
’ Organise conferences/symposia with a focus on equal opportunity and/or women topics
’ Develop a common understanding and framework with local and international partners on topics related to equal opportunity and women in STEM
Initiative 3
Champion the principle of equal opportunity through awareness campaigns, activities, and events.
’ Plan and organise women-focused events for students and staff
’ Develop gender-responsive policies that foster work-life balance and life-long learning
’ Develop and utilise data collection instruments to gauge and measure awareness/impact
Equal opportunities
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/equal-opportunity/
Since inception, Ahlia University has championed equal opportunity and women empowerment. This is manifest in the University’s core values: Excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, collegiality, ambition, and engagement.
What do we do about inclusiveness?
We champion inclusivity, diversity, and equity both within and outside the institution. We strive to mainstream the principle of equal opportunity in all our operations, and in relation to all stakeholders.
In 2017, Ahlia University established an Equal Opportunity Committee as part of the university’s formal governance structure. The committee is chaired by the President and oversees/advises on all issues relating to the principle of equal opportunity.
EOC Purpose
To mainstream the culture and practice of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusivity across the University in line with the Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goal 5.
Fairness
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Staff-Handbook_June2021_WEB_4.pdf
Fairness refers to the equitable treatment of different people, or groups, conforming to a consistent set of standards. Employees are entitled to expect fair treatment at Ahlia University and are expected to treat others fairly. That also requires employees to conduct themselves in such a way so as to ensure that Ahlia University’s reputation for fairness is sustained and enhanced all the time.
OUR STUDENT DIVERSITY
At AU we believe that all students, regardless of colour, race, religion, and physical or learning disability, have the right to the best education we can provide. Our student body comprises over 30 nationalities. At AU, we work hard to ensure that all our students are treated equally and with respect.
OUR INTERNATIONAL CULTURE
Our faculty members are from 25 different countries and possess credentials from some of the best universities in the world, ensuring we continue to work with our students to prepare them for the global market.
Equal Opportunity
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/equal-opportunity/
Ahlia University provides a space for its administrative staff and students to learn about their equal opportunities, below:
WTUN Gender Equality Pledge
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/equal-opportunity/
As a founding member of the World Technology Universities Network, Ahlia University is proud of playing a key role in the development of a gender equality pledge for the network of 20+ members from across the World.
4th Equal Opportunities Conference
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/4th-equal-opportunity-conference/
Under the patronage of H.E. Fawzia Bint Abdulla Zainal Speaker of council of Representatives.
It is our honor to invite you to the Fourth Conference on Equal Opportunities
The emergence of Covid19 and the resultant public health crisis has brought societal inequalities into sharp relief. How different countries have chosen to respond is not only shaping the current moment but is also having a crucial impact on the shape of the future; on who has access to vital resources and who is denied. This year’s conference will focus on the way in which the global pandemic is shaping our collective futures in new and unexpected ways and what that means to the ongoing objective of equal opportunities. More specifically how has and how should activity in the fields of health, education, law and business respond to what might be considered a pivotal moment that will set the direction and economic & social impacts for the coming decades. Decades in which responses to climate change, public health crises and economic imperatives must find a way to align with each other. What can be learnt from responses in health, education, law and business that serve to advance the objectives of equal opportunities? What must we do to avoid losing ground and ensure that the drive to maintain and build more equal opportunities and equitable futures continues unabated? We invite you to submit 15’20-minute papers and presentations which explore specific elements of these broad questions.
WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDING PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES’’ PROF. ABDULLA Y. AL HAWAJ
It gives me great pleasure to announce that we are holding The Fourth Conference on Equal Opportunities in "Health, Education, Law and Business.’ We are absolutely ecstatic to conduct this conference under the patronage of Her Excellency Mrs. Fawzia Bint Abdulla Zainal, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, whose renown, as a pioneer in the cause of women’s empowerment, is widely acknowledged and recognized in the Arabian Gulf region and far beyond. Under her stewardship, the Council of Representatives indefatigably tackles and relentlessly drives women’s empowerment as part and parcel of its wider stimulation and development of communities and organizations as a core element of what uncontrovertibly ranks as society’s most important social cause.
This conference, organized jointly by Ahlia University and Brunel University London, is inspired by our mission to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and to elevate the social and living standards of society. It is a demonstration of our core values in action and exemplifies our commitment to scholarship across various academic fields and disciplines.
The theme "Health, Education, Law and Business" was carefully selected as it goes to the heart of a transcendental and transformational issue of paramount salience in the world today; namely, women’s empowerment and female participation in human capital development. Promoting equal opportunity engenders benefits of far-reaching consequences ’ be they economic, social or otherwise -- impacting all aspects of society.
We are proud of, and heartened by, the path-breaking activities of the Supreme Council for Women under the leadership and guidance of H. R. H. Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim AI Khalifa in furtherance of women’s empowerment. Given these efforts, it is unsurprising that the Kingdom of Bahrain has emerged as an unparalleled leader in equality between men and women. Using a cross-section of the latest scholarly methods, we accordingly strive to highlight and to reflect on the good practice evinced in the sphere of women’s empowerment in Bahrain. Moreover, the conference includes empirical studies about ’Health, Education, Law and Business’ in Bahrain involving a set of workshops employing cutting-edge methods in the field,
Finally, I offer my thanks to all the contributors of the conference and our distinguished guests, and would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the organizing committee who made this conference a success.
Ahlia University Sustainability Initiative
https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/ahlia-university-sustainability-initiative
Description
Ahlia University considers Social Responsibility and Sustainability as part of its prioritised strategies that is embedded in its core functions including teaching, research and community. The University is committed to contribute and work towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through encouragement of research in various research areas such as quality education, equal opportunities and sustainable growth. In order to create a recognised impact Ahlia University promotes partnership with national and international organisations tackling UNSDGs.
Implementation of the Project/Activity
Ahlia University (AU) aligned the UNSDGs initiatives as part of it strategies, a University Sustainable Development Plan (2021-2025) was developed and approved with clear set of initiatives to contribute to the overall UNSDGs with prioritized measures. In the next 5 years AU is committed to increase the number of publications in specific areas including gender equality, quality education and sustainable growth. AU is also committed to revise the structure of the curriculum to include higher percentage of critical long term sustainable thinking skills with social responsibility across all fields. AU aims to produce society ready graduates equipped with social responsibility and life-long learning skills to support managing global growth and sustainability. In order to assure effective implementation of the planned initiatives within the Sustainable Development Plan (2021-2025) the plan will be evaluated by Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance and reported to the University senior management for decision making. The actions will be measures the contribution in increasing number of research in relation to sustainable growth, contribution in various out-reach activities considering social responsibility and promoting life-long learning skills.
Governed
Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance at Ahlia University will be responsible to communicate with other national and international networks to engage and share best practices of implementing and contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through contributing in events at both levels hosting and contributing. In addition, the Centre will be also the focal point for revising policies and procedures to support the implementation of UNSDGs.
Goal 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/ahlia-university-sustainability-initiative
’ 5.5 ’Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
’ 5.5.1 Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments
’ 5.5.2 Proportion of women in managerial positions
The occasion of the Founding Anniversary of the Supreme Council for Women
https://www.instagram.com/p/CwPxsAmqGvk/
"On the anniversary of the establishment of the Supreme Council for Women, we all at Al Ahlia University remember the numerous achievements accomplished under the inspiring leadership of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of His Majesty the King and the President of the Supreme Council for Women. She has elevated women to the highest leadership positions in various institutions in the Kingdom and granted women many rights and privileges. This has positioned the Kingdom of Bahrain among the advanced countries in empowering women and realizing their ambitions and aspirations.
At Al Ahlia University, we draw inspiration from the activities of the Council to continue our efforts in empowering women as professors, administrators, students, and graduates. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities in all university faculties and departments and to overcoming any obstacles that may hinder the success and aspirations of women.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Hawaj"
Seminar on the Future of Gulf Media
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfHTQH0MocC/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D
Participation of media and public relations students in the fifteenth Gulf Radio and Television Festival "Seminar on the Future of Gulf Media."
Ninth Gulf Conference for Human Development
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce0heacsFY8/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D
Participation of students and graduates of Al-Ahliyya University in the Ninth Gulf Conference for Human Development, titled "Individual Performance Measurement System and Institutional Excellence."
Zainat Doulari has earned a Master's degree with distinction and received the first-class honors from Al-Ahlia University.
Researcher Zainat Doulari has obtained a Master's degree with distinction and first-class honors from the Department of Media and Public Relations at Al-Ahlia University. Her thesis was titled "Public Attitudes Towards Digital Advertising Campaigns in the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture." The study aimed to explore the public's attitudes towards digital advertising campaigns in government institutions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture as a case study. The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Abdul Sadeq Hasan.
The student Marwa Jameel has received an award for the best editing, best directing, and best cinematography in a distinguished and unique event.
Al-Ahlia University's "Business" department is organizing yoga sessions for female students and employees.
A number of female employees and students from the College of Administrative and Financial Sciences at Al-Ahlia University participated in yoga sessions led by the professional trainer Amira Hashem. These sessions are aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being by reducing stress and enhancing mental health. The goal is to encourage female students and employees to engage in physical activities that positively impact their academic and overall lives.
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