Measuring Women Empowerment Practices in Private Sector in Bahrain

Abstract

The private sector in Bahrain is booming and playing a vital role in executing women empowerment in all aspects. Therefore, this study has been conducted to measure the women empowerment practices in Bahrain's private sector, which is rapidly growing and developing. Furthermore, the authors have tackled this topic by designing a model consisted of six variables: company clear vision, administrative practices, Human resources strategies, career development programs, performance appraisal practices, and government regulations. Therefore, the authors selected four industries in the private sector (Education, Health, Financial and Telecommunication), which were surveyed using a quantitative research approach to indicate and assure the variability of participants. An online self-administrated survey reached a sample size of 301 Bahraini female staff identified by four industries in the private sector in Bahrain. The results of the study indicated that the model has a relationship with empowerment practices. Based on simple regression analysis, the highest positive impact on women empowerment was found from administrative practices/laws, followed by human resources strategies, career and development, performance appraisal practices, clear vision and mission about women, and finally, government encouraging practices. However, multiple regression analysis showed that administrative practices/laws, followed by career and development, and finally, human resources strategies, only have a statistically significant effect on women empowerment.