A new award that recognises groups that support the advancement of women has been launched in Bahrain.

Two winners will be chosen for the Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ebrahim Al Khalifa Award for Empowering Bahraini Women in Political and Vocational Societies.

All 63 political and vocational societies in the country can apply for the award, which will reward the two winners with BD5,000 ($13,260) each.

The award is being spearheaded by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) to enhance females' participation in the decision-making process.

"This award is important in enhancing the participation of women in civil societies as it sends out the message that the council is dedicated to enhancing the role of women in leadership positions in the country, the private sector and civil societies," said SCW secretary general Lulwa Al Awadhi.

"We will achieve this by providing the women and societies with the necessary tools, training and services, and will raise awareness to allow women to reach positions of decision makers."

One political society and one vocational society will be chosen for the award, and the deadline for nominations is the end of November.

"The political societies eligible for the award have to be registered with the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry, while the vocational societies have to be registered with the Social Development Ministry," Al Awadhi told a Press conference at the SCW, in Riffa, yesterday.

"They should also provide the committee with detailed information on their activities, projects and goals during the past three years."

Criteria for deciding the recipient include the percentage of women members, percentage of female board directors, percentage of women who head specific committees and the percentage of women involved in activities.

Societies' participation in activities relating to women, the percentage of its activities that enhance women's skills, projects to support women and political societies' support for female candidates in upcoming elections will also be considered.

The new award falls in line with the council's project Bahraini Women's Political Empowerment for the 2010 Parliamentary and Municipal Council Elections.

It follows the success of the Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa's Award for Empowering Bahraini Women in the Public and Private Sector.

Tamkeen won that award in the government sector category, while GPIC won in the private sector. – TradeArabia News Service