Tamkeen's pro-women moves win accolades from Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa

The prestigious Award, now in its second year, was given to Tamkeen from amongst 37 contenders (26 government enterprises and 11 private sector organisations).

It was received by Tamkeen's Chief Executive Abdulellah Al-Qassimi from Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty the King of Bahrain, President of the Supreme Council for Women.

In a statement marking the occasion, Chief Executive Abdulelah Al Qassimi said:

"We dedicate this triumph to HH the Crown Prince, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who, as Chairman of the EDB is the leader who spearheads the Labour Reform Movement under the national implementation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa vision to make the citizens of Bahrain the main beneficiaries of development programmes in the Kingdom of Bahrain."

He added, "This award is an indicator of Tamkeen's consistent strategy of empowerment of women as part of our efforts to work towards the 2030 Vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain to provide equal opportunities for all."

Al-Qassimi pointed out that Tamkeen believes in providing equal opportunities for both geneders, through training programmes and professional development that will help to open up new horizons for Bahraini women in the workplace and allow them to play an important role in nation building.

He also noted that Tamkeen (Labour Fund) has opened new doors for women entrepreneurs by providing funding initiatives through loans from various Islamic banking institutions, in addition to leadership training to business owners and senior management of firms investing in the modernisation of technical processes and installations in small and medium-sized enterprises, where women entrepreneurs can use these options to stay abreast of the latest trends to succeed in the business world.

"Tamkeen has seen a significant number of women participating in the sessions of business development, a clear indication that women do benefit from the opportunities for progress and work independence, when they have the appropriate training courses and tools for development," Al Qassimi noted.

"Tamkeen is currently implementing a number of training programmes targeted at women in cooperation and close coordination with the Supreme Council for Women and with other organisations for the implementation of new initiatives. The issue is not simply a matter of training - it is a question of creating the capacity and potential for women and business owners alike," he said.

He noted that Tamkeen will work to help women succeed in the private sector, through training programs to meet the challenges of professional growth and participation in nation building.

He said, "We have witnessed a significant response from women in working with our various initiatives."

Tamkeen (Labour Fund) is a semi-autonomous yet independent authority established as an important part of the comprehensive economic reform plan, through the development of human capital and to make employment of Bahrainis more attractive, at the same time working to improve the operational level of establishments and institutions in the Kingdom.

Undoubtedly, the attempt to reform the labour market would impact the economy of the Kingdom and the advancement of living standards and therefore meet the challenge and the need to improve levels of services in Bahrain.

Tamkeen works towards developing and formulating strategic and operational plans to achieve the overall prosperity of Bahrain by investing in and improving the capacity of employment for Bahraini citizens and to create more job opportunities.