Social Participation of Bahraini Women: A Historical / Structural Analysis

Societies flourish and progress through the cooperation and mutual support of their members, whether men or women, on equal bases. Women represent half the society, and are considered the main pillar for its successful development. Since the dawn of history, Bahraini women have, side by side with men, participated in building and developing their society. The eras of political, cultural and economic renaissance were always closely related to a social renaissance within which Bahraini women were given their full rights and raised to their adequate stature in society. From ancient times, Bahraini men and women have worked as partners for achieving progress as evidenced by our reading of history. Social and political participation of women, in its wider sense, does not only mean the participation of Bahraini women in parliamentary elections; it also includes their participation in decision-making, and in the social, economic and political development of their country, as well as their involvement in the activity of civil organizations that adopt democracy as their working system. Moreover, political participation is an on-going process and cannot be limited to the participation in elections and becoming members of parliamentary councils, despite the fact that such achievements represent the highest level of political participation and the most distinguished type of democracy. The political participation of women in Bahrain was amongst the major collective requests during the period preceding the promulgation of the national constitution. This reflects the recognition of the Bahraini society of the role played by Bahraini women concerning all aspects of social and economic development, and also indicates at the same time, the enlightened mentality and open mindedness of the Bahraini leadership and the Bahraini people, at large.