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Seventeen high-achievers across diverse sectors have clinched coveted titles of excellence at the Woman of the Year Awards 2025, inspiring scores of women to pursue their dreams.
The spectacular grand finale was staged by Woman This Month, in association with GDN Media and Porsche at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, on Saturday, as highlighted in the GDN on Sunday.
The gala commenced with a scintillating musical performance. Many ambassadors and other dignitaries attended the event, which was graced by guest of honour and pioneering British engineer and innovator Dr Heba Bevan OBE and chief guest and National Arts Council chairman Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.
Shaikh Rashid, a world renowend interdisciplinary visual artist and member of the Bahraini royal family, highlighted the role of women in the community, emphasising how the standard of the kingdom’s art scene developed after the entry of women artists.
The evening continued with a short film about the Woman of the Year Awards. A video featuring Red House Marketing publisher and founding director George Middleton and managing director Anne Middleton was also aired, lending the event a personal touch.
“We launched the Woman of the Year Awards last year, which was a grand success, but we have surpassed ourselves this year,” George told GulfWeekly.
“We introduced the Woman of Arabia Achievement Award and it is a privilege to have a woman of this repute grace our platform,” he added.
“The support that we have received from our sponsors has been overwhelming and instrumental in making this event possible. And it gives me great joy to announce that next year, the awards will be going regional,” George revealed.
Renowned Saudi businesswoman Lubna Al Olayan, the first woman to chair a publicly listed bank in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region, was presented the Woman of Arabia Achievement Award. She was appointed chairwoman of the Saudi British Bank in 2019 following its merger with Alawwal Bank.
Adding to the list of firsts this year was the new trophy design fashioned to resemble a golden lady.
Over hundreds of applications were carefully whetted in the months leading up to the gala, by a technical jury, which shortlisted more than 50 finalists, who were then evaluated by the main jury.
The main jury comprised six successful Bahrainis: digital innovator Ubaydli Ubaydli, creative entrepreneurs Sonya Janahi and Huda Janahi, communications leader Noora AlNusuf, fashion and education pioneer Tamara Hostal and marketing trailblazer and mental health advocate Nivedita Dhadphale.
More than 23,000 voters cast their ballots online across categories, including the arts, literature, fashion, hospitality, health, beauty and wellness, sports and more.
The Orange Economy Rising Star Award was also launched this year, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO), following the announcement of 2025 as the Orange Economy Year in May. The national initiative aims to bridge the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship.
The award was presented to Bahraini talent Eman Sharif, who founded Campfire, a travel platform focused on connecting Arab women through the spirit of wanderlust.
Several Bahraini talents featured among the winners, nodding to the kingdom’s inclusive efforts that continue to put women at the forefront of entrepreneurship and community endeavours. One such Bahraini was humanitarian Rayana Sayyar, who clinched the Woman in Social Services award for her commendable work with orphans.
“This is such a wonderful gesture and I am so honoured to have won,” said the founder of non-government organisation Our Responsibility, which helps orphans and children in need through sponsorships, healthcare services, education and more.
“The biggest highlight though is making an impact on someone’s life. And the more we are able to do that, the more rewarding it is. I hope to always be worthy of this responsibility,” Rayana added.
“I have been running this NGO for three years and I am also an architect so, we do a lot of renovation projects to serve our community. I have also been appointed to the National Commission for Childhood in Bahrain, where we continue to introduce different strategies for human rights in the kingdom.”
Honouring Bahrain’s diverse and cosmopolitan fabric, the awards recognised several expatriate women as well.
Indian Jaya Menon, who won in the Woman in Literary Arts category, reminisced arriving in the kingdom with a suitcase full of dreams. She hailed Bahrain for being the land that makes dreams come true.
“This is such a wonderful moment and I am so happy,” the screenwriter and filmmaker remarked, revealing that she is soon set to produce a new short film in Arabic featuring Bahraini talents.
Internationally acclaimed Bahraini artist of Pakistani descent Thajba Najeeb, who bagged the Woman in Visual Arts award, was ‘pleasantly surprised and honoured’ and thanked her ‘village’ – friends, family and fellow creatives – who made this milestone a reality.
“I cannot wait to see what happens next and am excited to exhibit my latest collections of works in the New Year,” Thajba noted.
On the sports front, Bahrain’s first female jockey and renowned equestrian Manal Fakhrawi broke the bridle.
“Thank you for this honour and for creating such a beautiful platform for women. It is not just my successes but my setbacks that have paved the way for me - it is your race and your pace,” said the member of Bahrain’s Royal Endurance Team.
Some of the winners shared their inspiring stories, which further elevated the award ceremony.
A raffle draw with many exciting prizes, including a yacht trip for two, added to the evening’s excitement. Guests also enjoyed an extensive buffet featuring scrumptious dishes from around the world.
