15 Bahraini women make the Forbes list
MANAMA, September 16, 2014
Fifteen Bahraini women, including ministers and business leaders, have been listed in this year's Forbes Middle East 200 Most Powerful Arab Women.
The list includes women in government, family business and executive management roles that have made significant contributions in the fields of politics and business, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
Social Development Minister Dr Fatima Al Balooshi was ranked the fourth most powerful Arab woman in government, while Y K Almoayyed managing director Mona Almoayyed was named the third most powerful Arab businesswoman.
Other notable names on the list include Culture Minister Shaikha Mai bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of State for Information Affairs and official government spokeswoman Sameera Rajab, Al Zayani Commercial Services president Afnan Al Zayani, Bahrain Horizon owner and Bahrain Businesswomen's Society president Ahlam Janahi, Jawad Business Group board member Fatima Hassan Jawad, Shura Council second deputy chairwoman Dr Bahiya Al Jishi, Bahrain Airport Company information technology vice president Najwa Abdulrahim.
“Women in Bahrain all work very hard, and to be appreciated and recognised is very important,” Almoayyed told the GDN.
“It gives us a push to work harder, excel and get better at what we're doing.
“I started in business 40 years ago, therefore this is an important recognition for me.
“I want to do more for my country to help other women who are just beginning their businesses.
“We need to give them advice from our experiences and reinforce their work as well.”
She said it was the responsibility of both the private and public sectors to stamp out gender discrimination in the work place.
“As a woman, you really have to work very hard to be recognised because people always recognise men first,” she stressed.
“You have to work twice as hard for someone to recognise you.
“If you look at any company or ministry, women are not in the top positions '“ that means there's discrimination whether we like it or not.
“We are discouraged to employ women because they say she will be busy with her children and husband, but that tends to be just for a short period of time and then she works hard.”
Almoayyed added that Bahrain should work on reducing the unemployment rate among women.
According to the latest figures, the total number of unemployed Bahrainis by the end of June was 7,180, of which 15 per cent were men (1,085) and 85 per cent (6,095) were women.
Al Zayani told the GDN that being on the list was a 'privilege' and stressed the importance of empowering Bahraini women.
“There's a special importance in Bahrain because only 23 per cent of the workforce are women,” she said.
“We need every hand, it's indispensable. We need more locals to work in order to have the money circulated in the country's economy.
“Women still remain an untapped resource.
“They can take a bigger share in the national workforce and on the decision-making levels so that there's added value to the jobs that they do.
“When a woman has more money, it reflects on her family immediately, through education and health.”
The other Bahraini businesswomen who made the list are Nabeela Al Khayer, Elham Hassan, Shaikha Dheya Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Amina Al Jassim, Khulood Rashid Al Qattan and Safia Al Qahtani.
Emirati Minister for International Co-operation and Development Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi and UAE-based Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group managing director Raja Easa Al Gurg '“ topped the government and family business categories respectively, while Kuwait topped the executive management category with National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) group deputy chief executive Shaikha K Al Bahar.
A gala dinner and an exclusive award ceremony will be held on October 1 at the Music Hall, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray in Dubai to celebrate the Arab women who made the list. - TradeArabia News Service