The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) valued the efforts and approach of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA ) for the empowerment of women by given them leading positions in this sector.

This came in a message received by NOGA's chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza from the SCW Chairwoman Lulwa Al Awadhion the appointment of Karima Rajab as manager of strategic business economics at Bapco's strategy and business development division. Al Awadh isaid this step came within the range of implementing the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Bahraini Women and in activation of the cooperation agreement signed between NOGA and the SCW.

Karima Rajab is the second Bahraini women to receive a leading post in the executive administration at the oil sector. Last year, Basma Al Baharna was promoted to be local marketing manager in Bapco. Before that no Bahrain woman was able to get through to executive posts in the oil sector since the launch of the oil industry in Bahrain in 1932.

The openness in the appointment of Bahraini women in such posts at the oil sector, considered the most complex industry, is attributed to the NOGA employment policy which has allowed many young national skills to receive leading posts. This is in addition to the sincerity, commitment and professionalism exhibited by women. Mirza has informed local press that the promotion of Rajab was part of the goals and strategies of NOGA to empower women in the oil and gas sector and to give them advanced positions in top management.

The promotion also came within the framework of the agreement between the SCW and NOGA signed in November 2007 on women empowerment. Women represent 20 pc of the working force at NOGA. This is considered a high percentage in comparison to other neighbouring countries, especially when taking into consideration the nature of this industry.