Arab Women Organization

Her Highness was born in the city of Muharraq in 1948, at the Palace of her paternal grandfather, Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa bin Ali Al-Khalifa. She was brought up in Riffa under the patronage of her maternal grandfather, the former Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the father of her mother Shaikha Fatima. She has three brothers and four sisters.
Her Highness studied at schools in Bahrain, and sought further education by joining a number of specialized courses in the U.K.
In 1968, she married His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain, who was Crown Prince at the time. She is mother to four children, the eldest of whom is His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force, who was born in October 1969. She has six grand children, three boys and three girls.
Her Highness has always been actively involved in issues of importance to the people of Bahrain. As First Lady she actively pursues a number of initiatives to ensure the wellbeing of the less fortunate members of society thus improving their living standards. This is evident in her interest and support to certain projects that enable Bahraini families to increase their income through learning to revive and perpetuate traditional crafts and industries.
She also strongly encourages women participation in the Kingdom's development process and is closely involved with issues relating to the welfare of children and youth.
In her capacity as Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women which was established by Amiri Order no. 44 of 2001, Her Highness seeks to find ways to cooperate with other civil institutions involved in the work of women and the role of the family in society. The Supreme Council for Women has recently announced a national strategic plan for improving the status of Bahraini women in various domains. The plan involves both short and long-term goals including the political empowerment of women in preparation for the municipal and parliamentary elections in 2006.
In an honorary capacity, she presides over numerous vocational and philanthropic societies, such as Bahrain Cancer Society and UCO parents care center. She takes a keen interest in their activities and work, participating directly in continuously improving the quality of services extended to various members of society. Her Highness also follows-up the work and programs of the various women's societies in the Kingdom.
At Pan-Arab and International levels, she participates in specialized conferences and the activities of organizations concerned with women's affairs. The Arab Women's Summit Conference is of special interest and she personally follows up on the implementation of its resolutions and recommendations within the Kingdom. Her Highness' representation of the Kingdom of Bahrain alongside world leaders before the UN General Assembly in 2002 during the 27th Extraordinary Session for the Child, gained wide Arab and International attention, and succeeded in reflecting the advanced status of women and children in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Her highness was awarded an Honorary Professorship of Social Sciences from The China Women's University in 2002 during an official visit to China, at the invitation of the All China Women's Federation.
Her Highness has a keen interest in Bahrain's cultural and artistic heritage. She is an active advocate for the preservation of the beautiful historic Bahraini architecture. She herself is known for her artistic talent as is evident in her paintings.
Her Highness encourages the preservation of the environment as well as the Flora and the Fauna of the Kingdom through her patronage of numerous programmes and exhibitions concerned with these issues.
Her Highness has considerable experience and ability in the discernment of thoroughbred pedigree Arabian horses. Her efforts and dedication to maintain the breed's purity contributed to Bahrain being classified by the International Organization for Arabian Horses as one of the first countries that protect those breeds.
Her Highness is fluent in three languages; Arabic, English and French.