Ahlam Yousif Janahi is the President of the Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society. Founded in 2000, the community is a platform focused on empowering female entrepreneurs within Bahrain. With an aim to strengthen the role of Bahraini women and their contribution to commercial, economic, investment, and development activities in the country, the society provides access to networks for women entrepreneurs.
What does celebrating Bahraini Women’s Day mean for you in your work and life?
Women are the real architects of society. The most important thing a woman can do for another is to expand her sense of actual possibilities. I have always, especially, as the President of the Bahrain Businesswomen’s society supported women, startups, and entrepreneurs by giving them all that they need to succeed. We have created an ecosystem in which women thrive as they meet like-minded individuals, find support and achieve exponential growth as a result.
How do you balance your career, personal life, and passions? Is there such a thing as balance?
For me, all three are intertwined – my work is my passion. Work that includes my businesses and the philanthropic organisations I am a part of. Since these are a big part of my personal life, juggling them is not hard. My network comprises my friends who understand the significance of what we are trying to achieve and my family, that is also involved in all aspects of my work so for me balancing the three is relatively easy.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?
It’s estimated women account for almost half the global workforce. Yet, only about 27% of women are in management and leadership positions. Even fewer hold top-tier, C-suite-level jobs and leadership positions
Having said that, opportunities for women have grown in the workplace and Bahraini leaders are continuously supporting women. Bylaws are perfect in the Kingdom of Bahrain. However, there’s still a significant gap between male and female employees in management. Women have to get into entry-level roles, and many still struggle to obtain and maintain senior-leadership positions.
With the support of our leaders and strategies of the Supreme Council for Women, we believe things are changing. This change is visible in Bahrain’s public sector, where young dynamic women are leading ministries, regulatory authorities, and MPs as well as in the private sector where more women are finding space in board rooms.
How do you think women can better support other women across fields?
There is great power in unity. A woman alone has power but collectively we have “impact”. Supporting each other and channelling the power of collaboration is the only way we can create our version of a boys’ club. Study after study shows women who support other women are more successful in business. In fact, new research in the Harvard Business Review finds that women benefit from having a network of well-connected peers across different groups, women with an inner circle of close female contacts are more likely to land executive positions with greater authority and higher pay as opposed to men. So, I feel if we champion one another, we can rise together.
As a woman leader, who is your inspiration?
Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa has been a source of great inspiration for me. As the President of the Supreme Council for Women, she has always empowered Bahraini women.
Just one small example is The Award of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa for Bahraini Women’s Advancement which acknowledges their efforts in trying to excel in their fields, empowers working Bahraini women, integrates them in the national development plans, and helps them achieve higher standards of holding leading and executive and decision-making positions.
What advice would you give your younger self on overcoming challenges and achieving success in what you do?
I would tell my younger self not to hesitate in voicing opinions and to have the courage and conviction to carry on despite opposition from others. I believe success comes from an immense amount of self-belief and that needs to be inculcated from a very young age, continuing the daily hard work, and staying updated with new market trends.