Manama (AsiaNews) – Arab countries should fully recognize women's rights, even those of migrants, if they want "sustainable" development of their nations, said the first lady of Bahrain. Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who also chairs the Arab Women's Organisation, was addressing the delegations of 17 Arab states participating in a conference held by the organization in Manama, also attended by "first ladies" of other states. According to the Gulf Daily News, Sabeeka said Arab nations must give women equal rights so they can live in dignity, peace and prosperity, free of hunger, poverty and disease.

Equal opportunity, she said, must be embodied in law and policy. "We cannot have development without all sides working in partnership and trust," she said.

"Women must play a full role in society and this cannot happen if women are not given their full rights."

Sabeeka also announced the launch of an initiative by her organization to link up migrant Arab women and she urged the Arab League to support a similar mechanism.

In the closing statement of the meeting, the participants urged their countries to ensure that development programmes furthered the expansion of the role of women, including strategies to help young generations. Governments should also promote the use of technology by women in the Arab world and organize national committees to enhance their role in science and technology.

A plan was also announced to have a media strategy to "promote the role of women in sustainable development".

Other first ladies at the meeting were Sudan's Widad Babaker, Syria's Asma Al Assad, Lebanon's Andrea Lahoud, Egypt's Suzanne Mubarak and Mauritania's Um Kalthoom bint Al Nat.