Interview: Hala Al Ansari
To what extent are more flexible policies helping to reconcile business and social needs in Bahrain?
HALA AL ANSARI: One of the key drivers for achieving both family stability and work-life balance is the implementation of flexible work policies, including the adoption of remote work practices. These measures have been found to significantly enhance productivity, efficiency and overall organisational performance.
Bahrain took measures to promote the active engagement of women in the public and private sectors, both in professional and social contexts, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The SCW encouraged the private sector to embrace flexible work policies that cater to the needs of working mothers, pregnant women, individuals with chronic and respiratory conditions, and those needing child care. As a result, many private firms have successfully implemented remote work systems.
According to a recent institutional survey conducted by the Central Bank of Bahrain, remote work practices yielded numerous benefits for financial institutions. Some 57% of such institutions reported a decrease in employee absenteeism, while the productivity levels of those working from home were consistently high. In terms of long-term adoption, around half of the participating institutions reported that they plan to continue to implement such policies.
As for entrepreneurship, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce launched the virtual commercial registry, Sijili, to support the business activities of entrepreneurs with flexible conditions such as the provision of a virtual address for home-based entities.
Which key gender equality challenges need to be addressed in the National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women 2023-26?
AL ANSARI: The council has taken steps to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and to tackle the gaps that were seen or exacerbated due to the health crisis as well as to contribute towards the priorities of Bahrain’s Economic Recovery Plan. The SCW is monitoring the next stage of the national plan’s implementation. This phase will build on networking mechanisms established with all stakeholders in the country to support the needs of women and contribute to national development in line with the aspirations of the government action programme. These efforts align with the goals of the National Gender Balance Model for Governance of Equal Opportunities applications.
Examples of key priorities are increasing female participation in the labour force, including through entrepreneurship; promoting gender balance in promising positions and future science fields; enhancing gender balance on boards of major corporations; and facilitating the implementation of policies and services that encourage work-life balance, among others. In addition, the SCW is focusing on sustainable development, gender balance and the further advancement of Bahraini women regionally and globally to increase their participation in the workforce.
Where do you identify the main priorities to fulfil Bahrain’s commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030?
AL ANSARI: The National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women has an alignment rate of 64% with the SDG indicators pertaining to women. The aligned areas encompass equitable access to health care and employment opportunities for women and children, education, as well as their representation in political and economic decision-making processes. Reaching these goals will foster sustainable economic growth, and generate societal and humanitarian benefits.
National priorities in this regard include achieving gender balance, integrating women’s needs into national development programmes, increasing the efficiency of social services and workers, and using technical development and digital transformation to support flexible policies that contribute to gender balance.
Read More from OBG
