Bahraini women’s achievements

Visitors to Bahrain will instantly notice the participation of Bahraini women in all affairs. They are everywhere; working at shopping malls, supermarkets and bookstores. They are also seen driving cars when they go to work at government and private sectors, to their universities, taking their children to school and back to home or running their errands.
However, seeing them doing all these in their traditional attire, which is the dress of Gulf women, some visitors from neighboring Gulf countries and the West, are surprised at the level of involvement of Bahraini women in all activities. Some even wonder how, in an Islamic Gulf country, women can be so active.
Education always paves the way for a progressive society. It establishes a set of concepts about the roles of individuals in society, including women, that eventually become the norm and is ultimately accepted as a standard behavior. For example, whether it is a man or a woman, it is almost a standard social etiquette that a person opens the door for another person or invites him/her to go first with a smile. Doing otherwise might be considered impolite.
It is reported that women’s education started in Bahrain in 1928, making Bahrain the first Gulf country to have female education. This early start helped Bahraini women take part in social affairs, specifically those concerning women. Subsequently, by 1965, Bahrain also became the first Gulf state to have social organizations for women. Now, Bahraini women constitute 32.4 percent of the work force occupying various important roles. As a result, they have made significant achievements in various fields.
The giant steps that propelled Bahraini women to regional and international prominence were taken during the reign of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, specifically in October 2002. Bahraini women are now practically seen in government decision-making organizations; in the executive; and in high-ranking posts in international organizations.
In 2002, King Hamad launched sweeping political reforms to widen the scope of Bahraini women’s political participation in the country. Amendment was made in constitution to engage women in the decision-making process. Consequently, Bahraini women became eligible to vote and run as candidates in both municipal and parliamentary elections.
Though no Bahraini woman was elected to office in municipal and parliamentary elections, six women were appointed to the Shoura Council. By April 2005, Aless Samaan chaired a Parliament session, becoming the first woman in both Bahrain and the Arab world to preside over such a session.
In 2004 and 2005, three women were appointed to the Cabinet. Dr. Nada Haffadh was appointed as health minister while Dr. Fatima Albalooshi a minister in Cabinet, and Lulwa Al-Awaddhi was made honorary Cabinet minister. Moreover, Bahraini women rose to world prominence, when Bahrain was elected head of the United Nations General Assembly and Haya bint Rashid Al-Khalifa was appointed as the president of the Assembly. She was the third woman to hold the position since Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit of India and Angie Elisabeth Brooks of Liberia were appointed to the presidency in 1953 and 1969 respectively. In addition to being the first woman president since 1969, Haya was the first Muslim woman president. These achievements by Bahraini women can be attributed to their high education and proper training as professionals. However, walking a delicate balance, which incorporates traditions and modernity, Bahraini women make these achievements plausible and respected by the people of the Gulf as well as the world.

— Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zuhayyan is a Saudi academician based in Riyadh. This article is exclusive to Arab News.