Bahrain election 2006 women candidates

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Women candidates of the 2006 Bahrain election, which took place on the November 25, 2006 were reported to have received numerous threats from Islamic salafist and other factions to prevent them taking part. In all, eighteen female candidates of various political stances and views took part after recent changes to the political system in 2001 allowed women to not only become candidates, but also gave them the right to vote.

Contents

History of women in local politics

In March 1999 Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa came to power in Bahrain and national liberalisation quickly followed with the passing of the National Charter of Action in which many personal freedoms were clearly laid out. A referendum was held on February 14–15, 2001 through which the charter was approved. [1] The legislation therein came into full force on February 14, 2002, the year after the women of Bahrain were given the right to vote and stand for office. [2] In a report in early 2001 it was noted that there were only four female majlis, and none before this time. The majority of women who worked for the state still did so only in a supporting capacity [3] In 2002 when women went to the polls for the first time, no women candidates succeeded in being elected despite 10% of approximately 300 candidates being women, although one woman, Lateefa Al Gaood, lost in a run off to salafist candidate, Jassim Al Saeedi. [4] [5]

Sheikh —also transliterated Sheik, Shykh, Shayk, Shaykh, Cheikh, Shekh, and Shaikh—is an honorific title in the Arabic language. It commonly designates the ruler of a tribe or a royal family member, who inherited the title from his father. "Sheikh" is given to a royal male at birth and the related title "Sheikha" is given to a royal female at birth.

Bahrain Sovereign island state in the Persian Gulf

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in the Persian Gulf. The sovereign state comprises a small archipelago centered around Bahrain Island, situated between the Qatr peninsula and the north eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the 25-kilometre (16 mi) King Fahd Causeway. Bahrain's population is 1,234,561, including 666,172 non-nationals. It is 765.3 square kilometres (295.5 sq mi) in size, making it the third-smallest nation in Asia after the Maldives and Singapore.

A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new law. In some countries, it is synonymous with a plebiscite or a vote on a ballot question.

Women candidates complained that they were at a disadvantage because none of the popular Islamist parties have backed their candidacies, they cannot campaign in mosques, and social perceptions hinder them still. [6]

In Bahrain, political parties are illegal and only allowed to be known as political associations. Despite this these political associations have regular powers to put forward candidates for election and act as a parliamentary bloc. The law makes clear that financial resources of political associations should come from membership fees and contributions and from revenues of their investments in the Kingdom as defined by their internal regulations. A political society is under no circumstances allowed to accept any contribution, advantage or benefit from any foreigner or any foreign entity or international organisation. [1] Women candidates therefore relied on financial support from sources such as the women's rights body, the Supreme Council for Women, which has also provided training to candidates. [7] [8]

The Supreme Council for Women (SCW) is Bahrain’s advisory body to the government on women's issues. It is chaired by Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The current Secretary General of SCW is Hala Al Ansari.

On October 22, the Khaleej Times reported that women candidates were receiving anonymous threats and mobile phone messages telling them to withdraw from the elections to 'avoid clashing with Islamic principles'. [9] [10] [11]

<i>Khaleej Times</i> newspaper

Khaleej Times(KT) is a daily English language newspaper published in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Launched on April 16, 1978, KT is the UAE's oldest and remains the country's longest running English daily.

Information Minister Dr Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar described the country’s elections as a historic day for Bahrain:

"The turnout was high. The people of Bahrain visited the polling stations to exercise their democratic rights and vote for the candidates of their choice," he said. [12]

Leading female candidates

Only one of the eighteen women running in this election won a seat. Where run-offs are mentioned, these took place on December 2. [13] Below is a non-comprehensive list of some of the women candidates in the election.


Lateefa Al Gaood

Lateefa Al Gaood became the first female candidate to be elected to Bahrain's parliament when she won by default after the other two candidates in her constituency in the south of Bahrain withdrew from the race in the middle of October before campaigning began. [14] She was also the first woman anywhere in the Gulf to be elected in a legislative general election. She represents the sixth constituency, Hawar, of the Southern Governorate, in the 40-member Chamber of Deputies. Due to her previous failure she stood for a different constituency in 2006 to increase her chances. [15] Ms Al Gaood is a British educated civil servant, who worked for the Ministry of Finance.

Dr Munira Fakhro

Former Harvard academic and Vice President of the ex-Marxist National Democratic Action, she stood for Isa Town against Al-Menbar Islamic Society's Dr Salah Alibut was defeated with 3,169 votes. Her campaign during her candidacy included promises to create a link between education and employment and working for better retirement funds and housing. [16] She stood as part of the National Democratic Action Society, also known as Wa'ad Society. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Bahrain, and her academic interests encompass women, civil society and democracy in the Gulf region. [17]

Fawzia Zainal

Head of Programmes at Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation, Ms Zainal is a Sunni Muslim who contested a constituency in Riffafor which she received 2,599 votes and was defeated. She is vice-president of the Bahrain Transparency Society, and in October 2006 signed an opposition petition calling for an investigation into allegations that powerful figures in the government were fuelling sectarianism.

Ms Zainal said after her defeat:

"I have no regrets about my defeat. I have learned from this experience. It is disappointing that it is still considered a taboo for women here to contest elections. I want the new deputies to work for the welfare of the people." [18]

She was reported to have received particularly negative treatment during the campaign in the run up to the election:

"'Members of the society are distributing video tapes in which Kuwaiti religious leaders oppose the participation of women in elections,' said Fawzia whose posters were defaced and tent vandalised." [19]

Jameela Al Sammak

Dr Jameela Al Sammak stood in the second constituency of the Capital Governorate and she is a member of the Women's Future Association. [20]

Critics commented about the style with which she faced her candidacy:

"Dr Jameela Al Sammak did it with extraordinary panache. In fact, she took the battle to a public ground and did not hesitate to tell the people about the relentless onslaught on her and on her team." [21]

Moza Sabt

Moza Sabt is an ex-teacher who stood in Muharraq. During her campaign she said:

"Only good education prepares people for the future. When a person is educated, it is much easier to face problems like unemployment" [22]

Hoda Al Mutawa

Hoda Al Mutawa was a candidate in conservative Muharraq, an area that in 2002 was dominated by Asalah and Al-Menbar Islamic Society. Ms Al Mutawa pledged to campaign on securing adequate housing, providing medical insurance, helping the unemployed and promoting the personal status law.

Ameenah Al Hassan

Ameenah Al Hassan was a candidate in the sixth constituency in the Northern Governorate.

Siham Al Bubshait

Siham Al Bubshait stood in the second constituency of the Southern Governorate.

Shahzaleen Khamees

Lawyer Shahzaleen Khamees ran for the National Unity Bloc, an alliance backed by the Left-wing Progressive Democratic Tribune, in the capital, Manama.

Sabah Al Dosari and Khadija Al Kahtani were also known to be women candidates in this election.

See also

Related Research Articles

Politics of Bahrain

Politics of Bahrain has since 2002 taken place in a framework of a constitutional monarchy where the government is appointed by the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The head of the government since 1971 has been Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince is Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also serves as deputy Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force. The parliament is a bi-cameral legislature, with the Council of Representatives elected by universal suffrage, and the Consultative Council appointed directly by the king.

Elections in Bahrain

The National Assembly is bicameral with the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, having 40 members elected in single-seat constituencies for a four-year term. The upper house, the Shura Council, has 40 members appointed by the King of Bahrain, with the stated aim of giving a voice to minority communities and technocratic experts within the legislative process. Supporters of the system refer to long established democracies the United Kingdom and Canada operating with this bicameralism with an appointed upper chamber and an elected lower chamber. Opponents of this system point out that unlike the bicameral systems in the UK and Canada, the Bahraini system gives the unelected upper house equal or more legislative power than the elected lower house, allowing the King to control all legislation. Opponents also point out that the current system was imposed unilaterally by the King, violating the 1973 Constitution and a 2001 signed agreement with the Bahraini opposition.

Al Wefaq Bahraini political party

Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, or Al-Wefaq for short, is a Shia Bahraini political party. Although from 2006 to 2011 it was by far the single largest party in the Bahraini legislature, with 18 representatives in the 40-member Bahraini parliament, it was often outvoted by coalition blocs of opposition Sunni parties and independent MPs reflecting gerrymandering of electoral districts. On 27 February 2011, the 18 Al-Wefaq members of parliament submitted letters of resignation to protest regime violence against pro-reform Bahraini protestors.

Womens rights in Bahrain

Women's rights have been a cornerstone of the political reforms initiated by King Hamad, with women gaining the right to vote and stand as candidates in national elections for the first time after the constitution was amended in 2002. The extension of equal political rights has been accompanied by a conscious drive to promote women to positions of authority within government.

Sheikh Mohammed Khalid Ibrahim is a Bahraini Islamist politician and a member of the Al-Menbar Islamic Society in Bahrain. He was an MP in the lower house of the Bahraini parliament, having been elected in the 2002 Bahrain parliamentary elections representing a constituency from the Northern Governorate. Khalid is a known outspoken critic of the Bahraini government over conservative issues such as the selling of alcohol.

Munira Fakhro is a Bahraini academic and was a candidate in Bahrain's 2006 general election for the opposition Waad.

Al-Menbar Islamic Society

Al Menbar National Islamic Society is the political wing of the Sunni Islamist Al Eslah Society in Bahrain and Bahrain's branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. The president and patron of the Al Eslah Society is Shaikh Isa bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, a member of the Al Khalifa royal family and former labor minister of Bahrain. Prominent members of Al Menbar include Salah Abdulrahman, Salah Al Jowder, and outspoken MP Mohammed Khalid. The party has generally backed government-sponsored legislation on economic issues, but has sought a clampdown on pop concerts, sorcery and soothsayers. Additionally, it has strongly opposed the government's accession to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

2006 Bahraini general election

General elections were held in Bahrain in November and December 2006 to elect the forty members of the Council of Representatives. The first round of voting was held on 25 November, with a second round on 2 December 2006.

The Al Asalah Islamic Society is the main Sunni Salafist political party in Bahrain. The party is the political wing of the Islamic Education Society which funds the party. Asalah's leader is Ghanim Al Buaneen, who took over in 2005 from Adel Mouwda, who was sacked because he was perceived to be too close to Shia Islamists, Al Wefaq. Asalah is most popular in the conservative bastions of Muharraq and Riffa. Asala often aligns with Al-Menbar to outvote Al Wefaq.

Lateefa Al Gaood is a Bahraini politician. In 2006, she became the first female candidate to be elected to the Council of Representatives of Bahrain. She won by default after the other two candidates in her constituency withdrew from the race in the middle of October before campaigning began. She was also the first woman in the Persian Gulf region to win in a legislative general election. She represents the sixth constituency of the Southern Governorate. Due to her previous electoral failure she stood for a different constituency in 2006 to increase her chances of getting elected. She is currently the only female member of the Council of Representatives. She graduated from the University of Nottingham in 1996. She also holds diplomas from Helwan University in Egypt as well as the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration in Virginia. She used to work for the Bahraini Ministry of Finance.

Governorates of Bahrain

Bahrain is divided into four Governorates: the Capital, Northern, Southern and Muharraq. Until September 2014, there were five, when the Central Governorate was abolished.

2010 Bahraini general election

General elections were held in Bahrain in October 2010 to elect the forty members of the Council of Representatives. The first round of voting was held on 23 October, with a second round on 30 October. Amidst boycotts and arrests, Al Wefaq won 18 of the 40 seats. Four women were elected.

Rawya Ateya Egyptian female politician and officer

Rawya Ateya was an Egyptian woman who became the first female parliamentarian in the Arab world in 1957.

Women in Bahrain

Women in Bahrain are generally more publicly active than women in other Arab countries. They are highly educated, and are represented in all the major professions, women’s societies, and women’s organizations. They have the right to vote, and around one-quarter of women in Bahrain hold jobs outside of the household.

Valerie Wise is a British socialist politician and political activist. She is among the fourth generation of Labour Party activists in her family.

2014 Bahraini general election 2014 general election in Bahrain

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References

  1. 1 2 "Bahrain". United Nations Development Programme. 2007-03-29. Archived from the original on 2007-02-04. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  2. ↑ Nadeya Sayed Ali Mohammed (2007-03-28). "Middle East Intelligence Bulletin". Political Reform in Bahrain: The Price of Stability. Archived from the original on 2007-04-14. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  3. ↑ "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2000". U.S Department of State. 2007-03-29.
  4. ↑ "Understanding Bahrain's Third Parliamentary Elections" (PDF). Women and the Elections. 2007-03-28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  5. ↑ "Bahrain women fail in landmark poll". BBC News online. 2007-03-28.
  6. ↑ "Bahrain" (PDF). Bahrain. 2007-03-28.
  7. ↑ "Election and Democracy". Bahrain Brief: November 2006 - Vol. 7 Issue 11. 2007-03-28. Archived from the original on 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  8. ↑ "UNDP funds women candidacies in Bahrain poll". Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. 2007-03-28.
  9. ↑ "Women candidates receiving threats in Bahrain". Dhimmi Watch. 2007-03-28.
  10. ↑ "Women candidates receiving threats". Khleej Times Online. 2007-03-28.
  11. ↑ "Text messaging threats against women candidates in upcoming elections". AsiaNews.it. 2007-03-29.
  12. ↑ "Bahrain Center for Human Rights". Text messaging threats against women candidates in upcoming elections. 2007-03-30.
  13. ↑ "Shiite opposition party wins 16 seats". Electionguide.org. 2007-03-29.
  14. ↑ "Bahrain's woman candidate gets a boost after two opponents quit race". Gulfnews. 2007-03-28.
  15. ↑ "Bahrain Elects Woman To Parliament, A Gulf First". Bahrain: Gateway to the Gulf. 2007-03-29.
  16. ↑ "Womengateway". Dr Munira Fakhro hopes for better future. 2007-03-29. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  17. ↑ "Bahraini.tv". A rebel with a cause. 2007-03-29. Archived from the original on 2007-04-06. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  18. ↑ "Bahrain Tribune as found at Gulf Research Centre". The Age online. 2007-03-30. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-03-30.
  19. ↑ "14 more candidates withdraw from polls". Gulfnews.com. 2007-03-30.
  20. ↑ "Quota system 'a step backwards'". Womengateway. 2007-03-30. Archived from the original on 2007-04-30. Retrieved 2007-03-30.
  21. ↑ "OR AT LEAST POLITICALLY RETARDED:". Brothersjudd.com. 2007-03-30.
  22. ↑ "Christian and three women to contest Bahrain election". AsiaNews.it. 2007-03-30. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-03-30.
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