How women will fare in FNC polls

Women have a strong and special presence in the UAE's first elections to choose half the Federal National Council (FNC) members.

Women's enthusiasm is evident everywhere, as the number of female candidates all over the UAE stands at 65. The official support for women to go through the parliamentary elections is very encouraging. It has been emphasised on different occasions and at the highest levels of the UAE's leadership.

The UAE society is also one of the most tolerant in the Gulf, known for its understanding and acceptance of women's participation in public life and parliamentary activities.

Despite all these positive elements and the encouraging atmosphere, the chances of UAE women winning parliamentary seats through elections are slim, and the situation will not differ substantially from that of Kuwait and Bahrain, where women failed in the legislative elections.

The failure of Bahraini women was huge and surprising. For despite the intense efforts of the Bahraini Women's Supreme Council, the special programmes for political empowerment and parliamentary rehabilitation, and despite the existence of strong female candidates with political experience and scientific qualifications, none of the 16 candidates were able to make it to parliament through elections.

The only candidate who made it to parliament was appointed, not elected.

The same was the fate of women candidates in the Kuwaiti parliament. Kuwaiti women were able to acquire voting rights and the right to stand as candidates in elections through 30 years of political struggle. But these women, who make up 51 per cent of the eligible voters in Kuwait, were not able to win any seat in the parliament.

Despite being more experienced, educated and active in the political and trade union life of their countries, Bahraini and Kuwaiti women failed to reach the parliament through elections. So how will the UAE women fare?

There is a big chance that the UAE women candidates, who make up about 15 per cent of the total number of candidates, will fail to reach the FNC, due to several reasons.

The biggest factor is the relatively small number of women participants. The number of female electors is also small. Women are entering these elections in worse shape than men.

It is also expected that voter turnout among women will not be as much as among men, which will translate into fewer votes for women candidates too.

The sheer number of women candidates is also not to their advantage, as the votes they will get will be divided amongst them.

And, more important than the numerical aspect, politics and elections around the world, even in advanced democracies, tend to be dominated by men. Men are more experienced in politics than women, and more aware of its ins and outs.

Men are superior to women in expertise, qualification, organisational skills and financial abilities; they are also better in direct personal communication.

The circumstances work against women when it comes to issues related to politics and parliamentary work.

When heading to the polls, the rational voter will disregard gender, but will search for the candidate he trusts, who is worthy of representing society and defending important issues.

In making a preference, it is more likely that both men and women will vote for a male candidate, as they tend to be stronger, more efficient, more experienced and better-backed financially than women candidates.

All this is not an invitation to despair and a reason to pull out of the elections. This first election experience in the UAE is important to both men and women; especially women.

This experience should be considered a historical opportunity for the UAE women to gain self-assurance, knowledge, experience. They can also get to learn political activity and the election process and get ready for the next elections.

All the activity taking place in the UAE today is a rehearsal for the coming democratic phase, where society and the government will be more self-assured and mature in preparing for a full democratic and parliamentary life that is suitable for the UAE.

If our goal is to deliver women candidates to the parliament through elections and not appointment, then this needs sacrifices, political wisdom and an understanding of the election process.

It is necessary that pacts and understandings be concluded by the female candidates, where they all agree that all votes go to one single candidate in every emirate. This consensus may be achieved through internal elections in every emirate, to choose the best candidate, who is backed by the majority.

This consensus may be achieved through internal elections in every emirate to choose the best candidate, who is backed by the majority. Without this, it will not be easy for women to make it to the parliament.

Winning in the elections does not come through wishes. It comes through sacrifice, intelligence and political wisdom.

It is time to process women's intellect in the best possible way. For in the world of men, politics and authority, women have to understand that the end justifies the means.

Dr Abdul Khaleq Abdullah is professor of political science at UAE University, Al Ain.