A leading publisher is hoping the launch of a new journalism award for women will inspire more females in Bahrain and the wider region to enter the industry.

Al Hilal Group chairman and Akhbar Al Khaleej editor-in-chief Anwar Abdulrahman made the comments at the Foreign Press Association (FPA) Annual Awards in London on Tuesday night.

Abdulrahman had the distinction of presenting the first ever FPA Woman Journalist of the Year Award along with commonwealth deputy secretary general Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba.

The award was launched to recognise the achievements of women journalists working in challenging environments, whether political, cultural or physical.

It is an initiative by women's economic empowerment organisation, Women in Business International, of which Al Hilal is a founding strategic supporter.

It was won by Marie Colvin for her article in The Sunday Times headlined Swift and bloody: the Taliban's revenge.

Colvin was honoured for her contribution to reporting in very difficult and hazardous circumstances over the years and the contribution of her article to the understanding of the world's number one conflict spot.

'The presentation of the award as a publisher and a journalist was personally satisfying,' said Abdulrahman after the ceremony.

'The list of nominees showed the value of the award for the editors and publishers of all the nominees.

'Our work with Women in Business has been exciting as we have been honoured to be supportive of an initiative that has led the way for so many years in the region, by its forward thinking and selfless, not-for-profit approach.

'Al Hilal Group, as well as the board members of Women in Business, are committed firstly to promotion of the economic empowerment of women in society as part of the mainstream economy.

'We hope that this award will encourage more women to take up journalism as a career in Bahrain and the GCC.'

Also commenting, FPA president Hosny Enam said the launch of the award was long overdue.

'We are indebted to the politically non-aligned organisation, Women in Business, to live up to its pioneering approach by developing this award category,' he added.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of Women in Business International, founder Ahmed Suleiman MBE said he hoped the initiative would continue to be supported in the coming years.

Bahrain has been a key strategic sponsor of the FPA awards for the past six years and was well represented at this year's event.

Bahrain's Ambassador to the UK, Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, was there to present the FPA Award for Financial and Economic reporting to Bloomberg Businessweek's James Sterngold for his article on Lehman Brothers entitled Who cares about another $200 million.

Addressing those at the gala event, Shaikh Khalifa stressed the importance of providing genuine information to the public.

'We have a clear vision about the significance of the media in conveying genuine information and in overcoming bias and prejudices and promoting knowledge,' he said.

'We applaud those who have dedicated themselves to such great values.'

He went on to stress the value that Bahrain placed on Press freedom, having launched an annual award coinciding with the International Day of Press Freedom.

'The latest coverage of the elections is a genuine testimony to the advanced skills, the depth of understanding and outstanding reputation of our media people in following, debating and analysing the elections, campaigns and results,' he said.-TradeArabia News Service