Manama, The General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), organised the first consultation meeting to discuss the Council's initiative on coordinating the efforts of government ministries and institutions to meet the needs of Bahraini women during emergencies. The meeting was chaired by Lulwa Saleh Al Awadhi, the Acting Secretary-General of the SCW. Al Awadhi underscored that the SCW's initiative aims to network and coordinate the efforts provided by government ministries and institutions to meet the needs of affected Bahraini women in emergencies. These services include the Ministry of Interior's "Fael Khair" initiative, which helps pay off debts for individuals with final court rulings against them; the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments' "Zakat and Charity Fund", which provides financial and in-kind aid to Bahraini families, the Ministry of Social Development's emergency financial support for Bahraini families affected by disasters or house fires; and the Royal Humanitaria n Foundation's (RHF) assistance services for orphans, widows, and other women in exceptional circumstances. Additionally, major national banks and companies have corporate social responsibility initiatives to support the community. The meeting reviewed the target groups covered by the initiative, including Bahraini women who are affected by emergency social, economic, and living conditions, widows, divorced, abandoned, foster parents, single women, women with disabilities, mothers or women caring for a person with disabilities, as well as women with limited or no income. The meeting discussed the role of partners in implementing this initiative through the services they provide. It was agreed to establish a joint work team to develop the necessary mechanisms and procedures, avoid duplication of services, and sign cooperation agreements and MOUs with relevant authorities. This is intended to organise the cooperation and networking processes needed to invest in, support and ensure the needs of Bahraini women and their families are met during emergencies. The attendees thanked Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the Consort of His Majesty the King and the President of SCW, for HRH's efforts in launching and supporting various initiatives and programmes that support Bahraini women and their families to consolidate their role as a national partner in the advancement and progress of the country in all fields. They noted the efforts of the council to track the needs of Bahraini women facing emergencies, follow up with authorities, and implement family, cultural, and legal awareness programmes in cooperation with the concerned authorities. Source: Bahrain News Agency