Al Salam Bank launches second edition of Qaedat to develop female leaders

Al Salam Bank has launched the second edition of its female leadership development programme, ‘Qaedat 2.0’, as the Bahrain-based bank continues to invest in women’s professional growth and prepare female employees for future leadership roles.

The programme, themed ‘HER LEGACY – Honouring the Past. Shaping the Future’, builds on the inaugural edition launched in 2023. It aims to strengthen participants’ leadership capabilities, build confidence and encourage them to create a lasting impact within the workplace and wider community.

Qaedat 2.0 features interactive activities focused on self-awareness, identifying individual strengths and learning from women who have influenced previous generations. Participants will also develop skills in communication, negotiation, teamwork, prioritisation, adaptability and professional influence.

The programme encourages participants to identify the leadership values and behaviours they want to embody and pass on to others. Through self-discovery, knowledge-sharing and collaborative problem-solving, it seeks to strengthen their confidence and ability to contribute to organisational goals.

Muna Al Balooshi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Al Salam Bank, said, “At Al Salam Bank, we believe that empowering women is a fundamental investment in the future of our organisation. Developing female leaders goes beyond strengthening professional skills to fostering confidence, influence, and the ability to inspire others. Building on the success of the first edition of ‘Qaedat’, we are pleased to introduce a more comprehensive and meaningful experience that focuses on the impact women create and the positive legacy they leave for future generations.”

She added: “Through ‘Qaedat 2.0’, we aim to provide an interactive environment that encourages participants to explore their potential, exchange experiences, and develop their leadership capabilities, while promoting a culture of collaboration and mutual support. This will further empower our female employees to contribute to the bank’s strategic objectives and future aspirations.”

The launch follows the outcomes of the first Qaedat programme in 2023, which brought together more than 150 female employees over 12 weeks and delivered 2,242 training hours.

The inaugural programme recorded a participant satisfaction rate of 96% and identified 24 participants ready to progress to the next stage of their professional careers.

Building on these results, the second edition aims to further strengthen the bank’s approach to developing female talent and supporting career progression.

Al Salam Bank said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to invest in human capital and promote diversity and inclusion across the workplace. The programme also aligns with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include advancing gender equality and women’s participation in economic development.

Through Qaedat 2.0, the bank aims to nurture a pipeline of female leaders equipped to take on greater responsibilities and contribute to its long-term organisational objectives.