Manama, Nov. 21 (BNA): Bahraini women entered history once again and proved their ability to bring about change and progress.
In 2002, only eight women faced the hurdles and ran in parliamentary elections, the first since the launch of constitutional reforms that gave them the right to run in national elections.
None of them were able to carry their constituents, but their courage and sense of fighting was a breakthrough that paved the way for Bahraini women to believe in their political potential and power.
They had the full active support of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Chair of the Supreme Council for Women, the official body charged with raising the status of Bahraini women and realizing their political, economic and social potential.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka has led an extensive campaign across the Kingdom to motivate women to exercise their constitutional rights and to elect female candidates they see fit to represent and speak on their behalf.
Four years later, in the 2006 elections, Bahraini Latifa Al-Qaoud made history by becoming the first woman in the Gulf to enter parliament. It was a milestone in the advancement of women towards Parliament.
In 2010, Latifa Al-Qaoud was elected to the House of Representatives after winning the seat in her constituency.
However, in the by-elections that followed in 2011, three women succeeded in raising the number of women in the council to four.
In 2014, three women managed to convince their constituents that they were the best candidates to represent them.
In the next election, in 2018, women have doubled the number since six women were elected to the bicameral parliament.
The result generated more enthusiasm and optimism, prompting more women to sign up as candidates.
Early on Sunday 20 November, the announcement that eight women had won seats was greeted with jubilation and cheers that resonated across Bahrain and beyond.
The 2016 record for the number of women in the House of Representatives was broken due to women’s insistence on running, winning, and supporting voters, who have come a long way since 2002, when the number of women who registered their names was eight. as candidates.
While it was a great victory for the eight candidates and their supporters, it was also a victory for Bahrain and its values.
Despite repeated calls for the introduction of quotas to help women win seats, Bahrain has insisted that the value of so cherished meritocracy will not be compromised regardless of the significance of the intent and the significance of the goals.
The recent achievement of Bahraini women demonstrated the importance of this approach.
Shortly after the results were announced, Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka expressed her pride in the recent achievement of Bahraini women, praising their determination and congratulating the winners.
HRH Princess Sabeeka said, “It is a moment of pride for the successive achievements of women in Bahrain.”