Bahraini women urged to vote

Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, yesterday urged Bahraini women to turn out in large numbers on voting day to elect a legislature which will empower them and address their issues.

She was speaking at one of Manama's religious community houses called Ma'tams, in her first of a planned series of visits to the country's five regions.

During her tour, she will meet with women ten days before Bahrain's first parliamentary elections in 29 years. These visits are part of a major attempt to win support for the October 24 national elections, being boycotted by four political groups.

"I promised you before and I am promising again that I will be there for you and help you in every way I can. I will listen to your concerns," she told 200 women in Ma'tam Bushehri.

The changes Bahraini women have been asking for, she said, can only take place through the coming parliament.

The parliament is being restored after the constitution was brought back to life by the King in February 2002 following more than two decades of political turbulence after the elected house was dissolved in 1975.

There are 177 candidates vying for the remaining 37 seats, after three nominees have been elected unopposed.