Empowering Success: BBK and BIBF honor 24 graduates of the BBK’s Women on Board Programme

24 May 2023

Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), Bahrain’s pioneer in retail and commercial banking, held an event to celebrate the graduation of 24 women from the ‘Women on Board’ training programme.

This pioneering initiative was designed in collaboration with Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to bolster the representation of women in senior leadership positions, including board memberships, in line with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s vision to empower and elevate women across diverse sectors.

The participants underwent ten weeks of intensive training, which encompassed a series of workshops and lectures conducted by a diverse group of local and international trainers and experts. These sessions not only shed light on the challenges encountered by women but also focused on enhancing the implementation of governance frameworks across various sectors, creating awareness of the requisites of an effective board of directors, and exploring the abundant opportunities and initiatives that support, empower, and promote women’s participation in the business sector.

The event was held in the presence of H.E. Mr. Rasheed Al Maraj, the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain and Chairman of the BIBF, and Mr. Murad Ali Murad, Chairman of BBK, executives from the financial and other sectors in Bahrain, as well as executives from both the BBK and the BIBF.

Dr. AbdulRahman Saif, BBK Group Chief Executive, commended the efforts of the graduates for participating and completing the “Women on Board” programme, praising their dedication and commitment throughout the programme.

Dr. Saif stressed the Bank’s keenness to raise awareness regarding the pivotal role of women’s representation in corporate boards and their involvement in leadership roles across the economic sector. He also emphasised on the fact that such programmes will inspire more women to cultivate the necessary skills and gain valuable experiences to propel their professional and career growth and are a testament of BBK’s commitment to fostering gender equality and promoting women’s advancement in the professional realm.

Dr. Ahmed Al-Shaikh, CEO of the BIBF, expressed his commendation for the positive outcomes of the programme, specifically in fostering a culture that facilitates women’s progression into leadership positions, including board memberships. He emphasised on the programme’s objective of equipping women with the essential skills to become leaders in the

field. This initiative aligns with the BIBF’s commitment to empowering women by designing programmes and projects tailored to their needs. Moreover, it aligns with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s aspirations to enhance the substantial presence of women in influential leadership and decision-making roles.