Women's Rights In Bahrain: A Complex Reality

Women's rights in Bahrain have been a cornerstone of the political reforms initiated by King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. While women in Bahrain are provided with freedoms and liberties in their daily lives, they continue to face gender inequality in many areas. Women have the right to vote and stand in local and national elections, but they are underrepresented in decision-making positions. Although women have the opportunity to pursue education and careers, they often face social pressures to stay at home and take on traditional roles. Additionally, there are no laws protecting women against domestic violence, and they face discrimination in inheritance and citizenship rights. Bahrain has signed treaties supporting women's rights and equality, but the complex interplay between religious and secular law presents challenges to achieving full gender parity.

Women's rights in Bahrain are influenced by a combination of royal decrees, civil and criminal codes, and Sharia law

Since ascending the throne in 1999, hereditary leader Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has initiated political and economic reforms that have sparked improvements for women's rights in Bahrain. The 2002 constitution of Bahrain was a significant milestone, declaring men and women equal and guaranteeing gender equality in political, social, and economic spheres, without violating Islamic law. However, the same constitution also upholds traditional family values, indicating that the country still envisions a conservative role for women.

The absence of explicit provisions prohibiting gender discrimination in the workplace or other areas of society is a shortcoming of the 2002 constitution. Despite popular protests calling for a fully elected legislature and increased democratic representation, no revisions have been made to address these gaps.

Bahrain's accession to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2002 marked a significant step forward. CEDAW, an international treaty of the United Nations, defines discrimination against women and outlines steps for its elimination. By joining CEDAW, Bahrain committed to providing women with access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. However, the country's adherence to Sharia law led it to express reservations about certain CEDAW articles, including those on prohibiting discrimination in governmental policies, citizenship rights for women, freedom of movement, and equality in marriage and family life.

Sharia law, derived from the Quran and the Hadith, presents a significant influence on women's rights in Bahrain. While CEDAW has brought about positive changes, Bahrain's commitment to Sharia law hinders full gender equality. For example, Islamic law dictates that men inherit more than women and that children inherit their father's citizenship. Additionally, Sharia law restricts women's freedom of movement, as it is considered unacceptable for women to live outside their marital homes.

The impact of civil and criminal codes on women's rights in Bahrain is evident in the country's educational landscape. Bahraini women dominate the student population in universities, yet they often face limited employment prospects due to the unavailability of certain subjects for female students. Technical subjects, for instance, are reserved for male students, while textile classes are primarily offered to females. This segregation limits women's employability and contributes to their underrepresentation in the workforce.

In conclusion, women's rights in Bahrain are shaped by a multifaceted legal framework that includes royal decrees, civil and criminal codes, and Sharia law. While the secular aspects of Bahraini law have empowered women, the influence of Sharia law has created barriers to achieving full gender equality. The ongoing efforts of women's rights activists and NGOs are vital in advocating for further reforms and challenging societal norms that confine women to traditional roles.

Women in Bahrain face gender inequality in many areas of life

In the political sphere, women have only had the right to vote and stand in elections since 2002, and even then, they faced ambivalence from society, including other women. While the country has seen an increase in female political candidates, women still face challenges in getting elected to office. This is partly due to the lack of support from Islamist parties, who do not include women on their lists of candidates. As a result, women are underrepresented in decision-making positions, despite the government's efforts to promote female participation through initiatives like the Supreme Council of Women.

In education, while Bahraini women are the most liberally educated in the MENA region, they face limitations in the subjects they can study. Technical subjects are often restricted to male students, and women are steered towards courses with low demand in the workforce, reducing their employment prospects. This contributes to the gender imbalance in the workforce, where women make up only one-fifth of the working population.

Even with incentives for employers to hire women, traditional values and social pressures encourage women to stay at home and care for their families. This is further exacerbated by laws that restrict women's freedom, such as the expectation that women should not live outside their married houses. Additionally, there are no laws protecting women from gender-based violence or domestic abuse, and spousal rape is legal.

Despite some advancements, the complex interplay between secular and religious laws in Bahrain creates a challenging environment for women's rights. While the secular part of Bahraini law promotes gender equality, the religious component, influenced by Sharia law, restricts women's rights in areas such as inheritance, citizenship, and freedom of movement.

However, it is worth noting that Bahrain has taken steps towards promoting women's rights and inclusion. The establishment of the Supreme Council for Women, for example, aims to empower women across various fields and support their roles in society. Additionally, Bahrain has signed numerous treaties supporting women's rights and equality, and the country ranks highly on indices measuring female empowerment and digital literacy.

Women's rights activists in Bahrain have become political personalities and gained international recognition

Women in Bahrain have gained freedoms in all aspects of their lives, and their personal liberties are generally respected by the laws of Bahrain and Bahraini society. However, women in the country still face widespread discrimination and gender inequality in many areas of life. Women's rights have been a key focus of political reforms initiated by King Hamad, and these reforms have led to women gaining equal political rights and being promoted to positions of authority within the government.

Women's rights activists in Bahrain have become influential political personalities and gained international recognition for their work. One such activist is Ghada Jamsheer, who was named by Forbes magazine as one of the "ten most powerful and effective women in the Arab world" in 2006. She has been a vocal critic of the government's reforms, characterising them as "artificial and marginal" and accusing the government of using women's rights as a "decorative tool" on the international stage. She has also highlighted the lack of progress on family law issues and the restrictions on non-governmental women's societies. Jamsheer's activism has inspired women's rights activists across the Persian Gulf to demand greater equality.

Another prominent women's rights activist in Bahrain is Haya Rashid Al Khalifa, a leading lawyer and advocate for women's rights. In 2006, she was appointed President of the United Nations General Assembly, becoming the first Middle Eastern woman and the third woman in history to hold this position. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan spoke highly of her, expressing confidence in her ability to bring a "new dimension" to the role.

In addition to these two prominent figures, there are several other women's rights activists in Bahrain who have gained recognition for their work. For example, Houda Ezra Nonoo, a Jewish activist who headed the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society, was appointed to the Shura Council in 2005. Alees Samaan, a member of the Shura Council, became the first woman to chair a parliamentary session in the Arab world in 2005. Dr. Nada Haffadh became the country's first female cabinet minister when she was appointed Minister of Health in 2004, and Dr. Fatima Albalooshi became the second female minister in 2005. These women have not only advocated for women's rights but have also broken barriers by becoming the first women to hold important political positions in Bahrain and the wider Middle East.

Women in Bahrain have greater access to ocean travel and a wider range of influences than neighbouring countries

Bahrain's dedication to promoting women's equality and ensuring their rights in various roles is evident in the establishment of the Supreme Council for Women. This council provides a comprehensive range of services, including training programs, awareness programs, economic empowerment, and legal support. As a result, Bahrain has seen an increase in the representation of women in political and economic arenas, with more women holding leadership positions in both the public and private sectors.

The Bahraini government has made significant efforts to elect more women through its Supreme Council of Women, a semi-governmental body run by the king's wife. In 2018, Bahraini citizens elected six women to the country's lower house of Parliament, setting a record for the nation. The council has also had a powerful influence on the advancement of women's rights, with 12 out of 19 NGOs focusing on women's rights in Bahrain being part of the Bahrain Women's Union.

The country has also made strides in promoting digital literacy among women, with initiatives such as Women in FinTech, supported by the Supreme Council of Women. Bahrain ranked first in multiple sub-indices within Metas' Inclusive Internet Index 2022, reflecting its commitment to female tech inclusion.

While Bahrain has made progress in promoting women's rights and access to opportunities, there are still areas where women face discrimination and inequality. For example, no laws exist to protect women from gender-based violence, and spousal rape is legal. Additionally, women in Bahrain are expected to cover their heads and arms when in public, and it is customary for them to stay at home and take care of their families. Despite these challenges, Bahrain's relatively liberal interpretation of Islamic law and openness to equality leave hope for the continued advancement of women's rights in the country.

Women in Bahrain have the right to vote and stand in local and national elections

However, there was some opposition to the extension of political rights to women, even from women themselves. In 2001, 60% of Bahraini women opposed granting the vote to women. When women first voted and stood in municipal elections in 2002, none of the 31 female candidates were elected. Similarly, no women were elected in the 2002 Bahraini general election.

In response to the failure of women candidates in the 2002 elections, six women were appointed to the Shura Council, the upper chamber of parliament. In 2004, Bahrain appointed its first female minister, Dr Nada Haffadh, as Minister of Health. In 2005, Dr Fatima Albalooshi became the second woman minister, and Houda Ezra Nonoo, a Jewish activist, was appointed to the Shura Council.

In the 2006 Bahraini general election, 16 women ran for the Council of Representatives, and women made up 50.2% of the vote. Lateefa Al Gaood became the first female Member of Parliament (MP) that year, winning by default as her opponents dropped out. The number of female MPs rose to four after the 2011 by-elections.

In the 2018 parliamentary elections, only 39 women ran for office compared to 330 men. However, six women were elected to the lower house of Parliament, doubling the previous number and setting a record for the country.

While women in Bahrain have made significant strides in political participation, they continue to face gender inequality and discrimination in many areas of life. There are also no laws protecting women from domestic violence, and spousal rape is legal.

Frequently asked questions