by Suad Hamada
Bahrain

Women’s empowerment apparently clashes with the not-so-hidden agendas of Kuwaiti and Bahraini parliamentarians. Dirty politics have resulted in the recent resignation of the first two female ministers ever to join the cabinets in either country.

In Kuwait, Health Minister Dr. Massouma Saleh Al Mubarak resigned shortly after being grilled by the parliament over irregularities in her ministry, as well as about a fire that broke out in a public hospital that caused the death of one patient and injuries to others. Last month in Bahrain, Health Minister Dr. Nada Haffadh resigned over conflicts and arguments with Shiite Conservative MP Mohammed Al Mizal so heated that they made newspaper headlines.

by Suad Hamada
Bahrain

Bahraini women facing divorce, child custody or alimony disputes walk with heavy hearts and slow steps into Shariah Courts, fearing humiliation and injustice from judges in the only court system that rules over these issues. These women know they have no legal way to challenge arbitrary, inconsistent and unjust verdicts because Bahraini civil law doesn’t have any jurisdiction over Shariah Court verdicts.

• Photograph by Wendy McGregor •

Hanan Mohammed can’t forget what a bitter experience she had in the Shariah courts when she went there to seek an increase in her inadequate alimony. The judge who “avoided any eye contact” not only declined to increase the amount of her alimony, even though he knew that her ex-husband had gotten a sizable salary increase, but he was openly hostile and rude to her, with no provocation. She says her rights have been violated and that she feels “humiliated” by the encounter.

by Suad Hamada
Bahrain

By Suad Hamada
Bahrain

A young girl has faced the threat of being expelled from her primary school only because her mother is infected with AIDS.

This secret was neither known to the girl nor the school, but was exposed by a parent who insisted on suspending her to protect other children from infection. Despite the mother’s adamant protestations that her daughter was not infected with the virus, the school persisted until a blood test was performed on the girl. The test revealed what the mother passionately claimed from the beginning - her daughter is HIV negative.

The girl’s story is but one account of the many injustices suffered by youngsters with infected parents and those children who have HIV/AIDS.

by Suad Hamada
Bahrain

Working women in Bahrain are facing many challenges and female activists predict they will encounter even more hardships after the full implementation of the newly ratified Free Trade Agreement between Bahrain and the United States.

A recent study reveals that only 9.9% of the top managerial posts in Bahrain’s private sector are held by women. Besides accepting the second best when it comes to promotion and work privileges, females have to find ways to cope with the tough competition the FTA will bring with its open market policies.

Put into effect last year, the FTA is expected to contribute to the economic growth of Bahrain and increase revenues of businesses. But according to the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) that is dedicated to safeguarding the interests of Bahrain’s female citizens by empowering them in all walks in life, the FTA’s effects on women are still uncertain.

by Suad Hamada
Bahrain

What could be more demeaning to women than allowing men to divorce their spouses by sending text messages from their mobile phones?

If such a move materializes, Muslim men could benefit more from modern technology than women as Muslim women would not be allowed this privilege and Islam prohibits them from calling off a marriage without the approval of Sharia judges. Many women who ask for divorce in court end up losing custody of their children and other marriage settlements.

by Suad Hamada
Bahrain

Women come as second or third priority to the Parliament in Bahrain as MPs consider them to be weak voters. This is the case even though 148,000 women participated in the parliamentary and municipal election in 2006 from a total of 295,000 voters. MPs and election candidates don’t take them seriously as they believe that they are influenced by their male relatives.