Gulf | Bahrain
Women's rights groups under fire for silence
Women's rights activists have come under harsh criticism for opting not to come forward during the elections campaign.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 November 22, 2006
Manama: Women's rights activists have come under harsh criticism for opting not to come forward during the elections campaign.
"We have seen business leaders, liberal thinkers and even foreign religious scholars move from one tent to the other to interact with constituents or deliver lectures. But we have not seen any women's organisation do or say anything throughout this month," columnist Sawsan Al Shair has said.
"We had high expectations because the elections are a golden opportunity for women to highlight their programmes and ambitions. But instead, we see that the women's societies have withdrawn into their shells."
Women make up more than half of the 295,686 eligible voters in the 2006 parliamentary elections, dominating in three of Bahrain's five governorates.
The number of female candidates has also risen from eight in 2002 to 18 this year, and one of them, Lateefa Al Gaood, has secured a seat in the parliament after running unchallenged in her constituency.
The other 17 candidates are facing an uphill struggle amid vitriolic accusations by conservatives that they are incompetent and that they have no right to run.
"We thought we would have outstandingly vivacious election campaigns for female candidates. Unfortunately, we now see these women candidates, who have braved everyone and everything, working without real support from activists. Something is wrong and needs to be fixed promptly," media specialist Maysa Kooheji said.
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