Women's Suffrage and rights in the constitutions of the world​

BAHRAIN 2002
Right to vote and to stand for election: October 24, 2002
First woman in parliament: 2002
Independence: 1971
Population: 1,671,115
Parliament name: Al-Majlis Al-Watani (National
Assembly)
Chamber name: Majlis Al-Nuwab (Council of
Representatives)
Structure & Status of parliament: Lower Chamber
Statutory number of members: 40
Directly elected
Electoral quota for women: No
Chamber name: Majlis Al-Shura (Shura Council)
Structure & Status of parliament: Upper Chamber
Statutory number of members: 40
Appointed by the King
Electoral quota for women: No
DATE WOMEN %
2018-11
2014-11
2014-01
2013-01
2010-10
2006-12
1973-12
6
3
4
1
4
1
0
15%
7.5%
10%
2.5%
10%
2.5%
0%
DATE WOMEN %
2014-12
2010-11
2006-01
2002-10
9
11
10
6
22.5%
27.5%
25%
15%
According to the Constitution (6 December 1973), all citizens are equal before the law; however the Electoral Law that was
adopted as a follow up, did not recognize women's suffrage. Women were consequently not able to exercise electoral rights
in the only legislative elections held in Bahrain in December 1973. In 1999, women were allowed to stand for election for
municipal councils, which they had been able to vote for since 1951. Women voted in 2001 for the referendum on the New
Constitution, which came into being in 2002 and confirmed women's suffrage. In 2006, Lateefa Al Gaood (1956- )became the
first female candidate to be elected to the Council of Representatives.
CONSTITUTION OF 2002, WITH AMENDMENTS THROUGH 2017
Article 1
…
e. Citizens, both men and women, are entitled to participate in public affairs and may enjoy political rights, including the
right to vote and to stand for elections, in accordance with this Constitution and the conditions and principles laid down
by law. No citizen can be deprived of the right to vote or to nominate oneself for elections except by law.
… RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO STAND FOR ELECTIONS
34
Article 5
FAMILY SUBJECT TO RELIGION
a. The family is the basis of society, deriving its strength from religion, morality and love of the homeland. The law preserves
its lawful entity, strengthens its bonds and values, under its aegis extends protection to mothers and children, tends the
young and protects them from exploitation and safeguards them against moral, bodily and spiritual neglect. The State cares
in particular for the physical, moral and intellectual development of the young.
b. The State guarantees reconciling the duties of women towards the family with their work in society, and their equality
with men in political, social, cultural, and economic spheres without breaching the provisions of Islamic canon law
(Shari’a). DUTIES OF WOMEN EQUALITY SUBJECT TO RELIGION