Women's active role in politics highlighted

Manama, Nov. 24 (BNA): Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) Hala Al Ansari has expressed optimism a woman will head the legislative branch soon. "Women have outstanding abilities and have accumulated experience over the years of practicing democracy in Bahrain," she said. She reviewed the participation history of Bahraini women in political action, which began in 1951 by participating in the parliamentary elections, reviewing the Bahraini women's presence in the decision-making and labour market. Women represent 53 per cent of the work force in the government sector, five per cent in ministerial positions, 23 per cent in leadership positions, 30 per cent in management positions, and 59 per cent in specialised posts. Al Ansari explained that the percentage of women's participation in the legislative authority is 15 per cent, 23 per cent in the Shura Council and eight per cent in the Council of Representatives. They also hold 42 per cent of presidency in Shura Council committees, and 10 per cent in the Council of Representatives committees. She noted that women took the post of Second Deputy Speaker in three legislative terms. Al Ansari reviewed the history of the participation of Bahraini women in parliamentary and municipal councils since the start of the democratic process in 2002, pointing out that the number of candidates for the Council of Representatives in 2002 was only eight, but rose to 18 in 2006, fell to nine in 2010 and rose to 13 in 2014. The number of candidates in 2018 reached 39. In the municipal elections, Al Ansari said that the 2002 elections saw 33 women candidates. In 2006, they were five. In 2010, only three candidates run in the elections and the number increased to 12 in 2014. There are eight women members in the municipal council election this year. The SCW secretary-general added that Bahraini women constitute a large electoral force, representing 50 per cent of the voters in the past legislative terms. On the role of the SCW in supporting and empowering women in political and parliamentary action in particular, Al Ansari indicated that the Council has worked early on to develop various programmes aimed at raising the level of voters' awareness and encouraging participation in elections. She highlighted the role of the 24-hour Consultation Centre in providing advices to all independent candidates through experts and specialists in the electoral process. “More than 120 consultations were given between September and November in cooperation with a number of institutions,” she said.