Athar: A symbol of Bahrain’s deep respect for women

‏MANAMA – Athar, a beautiful structure in the heart of Bahraini capital Manama that celebrates the achievements of Bahraini women is a site worthy of visiting and contemplating.

‏Simulating the curves of sea waves, the structure has become a magnet for those visiting the Bahraini capital.
‏The great attention the Bahraini government is paying to the site and the brains behind its construction highlight the huge appreciation women receive in Bahrain and their important position in this country’s collective popular culture.

‏Bahrainis thought of constructing this monument, soon after they marked Bahraini Women’s Day in 2017.
‏The Supreme Council for Women (SCW), the national women’s watchdog of Bahrain, and the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities invited young Bahrainis to come up with proposals for a monument that would embody Bahrain’s pride in women’s contributions to the progress of their country.

‏A team called ‘Athar’ won the contest, having come up with the best design for the aspired monument.
‏The team’s design aims to denote women’s achievements in Bahrain’s past and their aspirations for the future.
‏The geometry of the model focuses on essential aspects, namely the sea and women.

‏There is a strong bond between the Bahraini society and the sea. Bahraini women used to manage their families’ affairs, while their husbands were out in the sea fishing and looking high and low for pearls.
‏Women are also viewed among Bahrainis as a symbol of giving and sacrifice. They do everything for the wellbeing of their families, as mothers and educators of future generations of Bahrainis.

‏They are also viewed as worthy partners in the development and progress of the Bahraini society.
‏As a design, Athar takes into account the two aspects of modernisation and environment preservation.
‏It is imbued with the vision of Bahrain’s youth, one inspired by the achievements of the pioneers of their society. This vision also looks at the future with confidence.

‏A close look at the position of women in Bahrain can show the great responsibility the authorities take to provide equal rights for them and ensure that they are represented in various fields.

‏Women are key players in Bahrain’s development. Their contributions can be easily traced in all aspects of life in their country.

‏The Bahrainis believe, however, that there is still room for creating a more inclusive environment that fosters a greater balance between genders.

‏The SCW says it is committed to addressing women’s needs to unlock their full potential in a way that allows them to contribute to society on a broader spectrum.

‏The council and the Bahraini government have undertaken a range of initiatives to empower Bahraini women and turn them into role models within the Arab world.

‏Founded in August 2001, the council is the main reference point for all official organisations related to women’s affairs in Bahrain. It has jurisdiction to address all matters that impact women’s position in society.

‏The council is chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. It consists of 16 members, mostly female public figures.

‏It empowers Bahraini women and guarantees their inclusion in development programmes, while also ensuring they maintain cohesive family bonds and lives.

‏Underpinned by equal opportunity principles, the SCW helps foster competitiveness among Bahraini women and secures their lifelong learning.

‏It promotes legislation and policies aimed at providing diverse opportunities for women to enhance the quality of their lives.

‏In line with the objectives of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain to ensure that women play prominent roles in society, Royal Decree No. 5/2004 was issued to create Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa’s Award for Bahraini Women Empowerment.

‏The award is offered every two years to ministries and public and private entities that excel in supporting and empowering working Bahraini women.

‏It highlights Bahrain’s progress, showcasing how its focus evolved from being about women’s empowerment to the partnership balance between Bahraini women and men.

‏The award also encourages United Nations member states to dedicate more effort to women’s empowerment, which provides an opportunity for Bahrain to be recognised internationally.