Women in Bahrain

Authorities in Bahrain are promoting the involvement of women in the political scene however in reality their program is limited in practice by employing a limited number of women in high positions selected on the basis of political and sectarian affiliation and not on sound career qualifications. Due to this, thousands of women in Bahrain are victims of discrimination. As far as participation in the democratic process is concerned, the government is over promoting training programs that aims at preparing tens of women to participate in the municipality and parliamentary elections. The reality is that these councils do not have real power and election of men or women to these councils does not entitle them to effective decision-making.

In terms of social and economic rights, Bahraini women suffer from a decline in living standards, especially in the case of women with lower educational qualifications who in turn are obliged to accept low-paid jobs. Divorcees, widows, abandoned women and orphans do not get social protection. Some women are also forced into prostitution. The prevalence of human trafficking crimes coupled with authorities’ complacency in combating these crimes, contributes to the spread of such social disorders in the society.

We are witnessing all this at a time when voices are raising in support of and against the issuance of a family law that protects families and underprivileged women from the grasp of certain members of the society. There are various civil society organisations that play a vital role in defending women’s rights, yet legal constraints and harassments from authorities limit the effectiveness of these organizations. Furthermore, their role is weakened by governmental organizations. These governmental organizations operate under the cover of law and in an organizational format such as the supreme council for women, which is merely a political propaganda tool for the ruling party and the wives of the top officials in the country.

By the end of 2008, there were more than 900 unsolved divorce cases at the Sharia Courts, in comparison to 600 cases in 2001, an increase of 50%, i.e. an increase of 50 cases per year. This downfall in the performance of the courts is primarily because of the poor performance and inefficiency of the unqualified judges and judicial enforcement bodies. The local courts are also characterized by widespread ethical and administrative corruption in the judicial process.

The judicial system continues to lack objectivity and independence criteria. Moreover, it is short of serious and effective training programs and promotion regulations as per the well-known international standards.

According to 2006 statistics, there are more than 117 hotels and 40 tourist buildings in Bahrain, which include furnished apartments rented out on hourly or daily basis. These premises provide connections and dance halls that hosts females, as ‘entertainers’, who dance in sexually seductive outfits and nurture a legalized environment of vice and prostitution. Reports confirm that 90% of those female ‘entertainers’ have never engaged in artistic entertainment before. Research suggests that they were lured into the country to work as waitresses, but later forced into prostitution as artists and entertainers.

International reports and local media coverage forced the authorities to close a number of these halls, which became widely known as centers for prostitution and human trafficking. As a result, approximately 190 defendants were charged with various offenses related to the facilitation and promotion of prostitution.

Talking of women’s organizations, the reason for the ineffectiveness of these organizations is the lack of logistical and financial support. Moreover, any contacts between the local societies with the international NGO's, seeking funding, strengthening relationships, exchange of expertise and representation, without the prior approval and consent of the Social Affairs Ministry, are considered violation of the law, exposing these organizations to punishment.

Local women organizations also lack administrative, technical and legislative developmental capabilities, that can be obtained only though training programs and workshops.