A panel discussion at the Equal Opportunities Conference, hosted by Ahlia University under the patronage of H.E. Ahmed bin Salman Al Musallam, Speaker of the Council of Representatives, explored key issues surrounding women’s leadership and decision-making in the region, bringing together diverse academic perspectives on the subject.
The session examined differing views on whether to adopt international models or develop approaches that better reflect local cultural and social contexts, setting the stage for a deeper exchange of ideas among participants.
In this context, Dr. Ammar Al-Hawaj, Executive Director of Communications at the university, emphasised that empowering women in leadership is a key pillar of sustainable development and effective governance. He called for practical, research-based solutions that are closely aligned with the realities of local communities.
Building on this point, Professor Monomita Nandy of Brunel University London cautioned against directly replicating Western models, stressing the importance of adapting global best practices to suit societies that are rooted in collective values.
Meanwhile, Dr. Samer Suleiman addressed the role of gender quotas, describing them as a useful mechanism to accelerate women’s representation, while noting that they remain insufficient without parallel reforms in organisational culture and leadership development.
Continuing the discussion, Dr. Laila Al-Halwaji highlighted the shift from empowerment to diversity and inclusion, pointing to the ongoing influence of unconscious bias and the need for targeted training programs to better prepare female talent.
From a national perspective, Dr Fajer Danish reviewed Bahrain’s experience, praising the role of the Supreme Council for Women in supporting women’s participation in leadership and entrepreneurship through sustained institutional and societal support.
The discussion further emphasised the role of education in preparing future female leaders, particularly through mentorship and the integration of leadership development within academic systems.
The session concluded with a shared consensus on the need for a comprehensive approach that combines policy, legislation, and education to ensure sustainable and meaningful representation of women across all levels of decision-making.
