The Bahrain Labor Fund, known as Tamkeen, has taken a significant step in promoting gender parity and skills development by establishing a partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF). This agreement was formally announced during the 55th Annual Meeting of the WEF, held in Davos under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” The initiative aims to address the gender skills gap in high-growth sectors, thus strengthening the participation of current and future generations of the local workforce in Bahrain.
The agreement signing ceremony took place in the presence of relevant figures, including His Highness Sheikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board of Tamkeen, and H.E. Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy. The Minister of Sustainable Development and CEO of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, signed the agreement as a member of Tamkeen’s board, at an event attended by Professor Klaus Schwab, founder of the WEF.
Bahrain has been at the forefront of developing a future-ready workforce, driving an education system focused on digital skills and fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The country has also been recognized as a regional leader in gender parity and equal pay, ranking among the top in the World Economic Forum reports on gender inequality globally. Notably, Bahrain is among the top five countries where girls outperform boys in academic achievements.
Sriram Gutta, Director of Engagement and Operations at the WEF, highlighted the enthusiasm for the new collaboration, building on the success of the first cycle of the program, which mobilized over 2.5 million dollars and benefited more than 54,500 people. This new cycle will focus on promoting gender parity in high-growth sectors and emerging jobs.
With this initiative, Bahrain aims to become a role model for other countries, building on its achievements in developing highly skilled human capital. Tamkeen has been a key driver in this transformation, offering government-backed training and developing programs aimed at closing gender gaps in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Additionally, they have launched Skills Bahrain in 2024, an effort to maximize the potential of local talent through collaborations with employers and government organizations.
The Skills Bahrain-led Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator, in partnership with the Labor Fund and Economic Development Board, will involve creating partnerships with private sector leaders. Future phases of the project will involve data analysis to identify gender skills gaps and establish effective talent development strategies.
Bahrain’s government efforts to empower women and enhance the skills of young human capital have shown positive results, positioning the country as fourth globally in terms of women in leadership positions and female graduation rates. The diversity in its workforce and its reputation as a service center have attracted large international companies such as AWS and Citi, who recently selected Bahrain to establish their Global Technology Center.
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