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 In the Arab world,
Bahraini women have achieved significant milestones in their
struggle for equality and justice. Most targets in relation to
gender disparity at all levels of education have been achieved if
not surpassed. Although the ratio of women in the work place
continues to rise, women are more susceptible to unemployment and
discrimination at the work place. The introduction of a personal
status law is another area of national debate that may find
resolution within the current climate of reforms. The recent
elections are an example of the steps the government is taking to
ensure women receive equal opportunity in all areas including access
to public office. UNDP was fortunate to be a partner in this
initiative. Under a project aimed to provide technical assistance to
female candidates participating in the November 2006 elections,
seventeen women ran for Parliament and four for Municipal Council
seats. Latifa Al Gaoud succeeded in becoming Bahrain’s first female
Parliamentarian to be elected to the Southern Governate. To further
bolster future candidates in all areas of public office, the UNDP,
in conjunction with the vanguard on women’s issues in Bahrain, the
Supreme Council of Women, is presently involved in a project aimed
at creating an action plan for the political empowerment of women.
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