60pc of Bahrain women against running in polls

More than 60 per cent of Bahraini women are 'opposed' to the participation of women in the parliamentary elections, according to an academic study carried out by three female researchers.

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Mohammed Almezel, Editor At Large
1 MIN READ

More than 60 per cent of Bahraini women are 'opposed' to the participation of women in the parliamentary elections, according to an academic study carried out by three female researchers.

The study was undertaken by Dr Mona Hejress, Sabah Hejress and Najayyah Salman of the Women Affairs Committee at the Democratic Arab-Islamic Wassat Society in the wake of last May's municipal elections in which all the 31 women candidates failed to win seats.

The study found out that "women are still not convinced of the ability of other women to run for public offices," said a report published in yesterday's Arabic daily Al Ayyam.

According to the study, in which 152 women from all walks of life have been surveyed, less than 40 per cent of Bahraini women supported the candidacy of women in the parliamentary elections, set for October 24. Two women, a social activist and a journalist, have already announced to contest the election.

The study says the main pretexts given by those who were surveyed are: "Lack of women's political awareness; the influence of religious leaders and conservative elements; rigid social traditions; the inability of women to administer public affairs; the ability of man to solve society's problems and the lack of effective women bodies that can carry their candidates into the parliament hall.

"The results of the survey reflect the contradictory behaviour of many women who readily acknowledge the pioneering role Bahraini women have been playing in their country's development, but think these women cannot be entrusted to handle public affairs," the researchers concluded.

They also said that Bahraini society "is still reluctant to accept the idea of women and men mingled in the same workplace."

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