WUNRN
GULF STATES
The Arab
states of the Persian Gulf are made of the kingdoms
of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the sultanate
of Oman, and the emirates
of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf_States
GCC - Cooperation Council for the
Arab States of the Gulf.
GULF
STATES: Quota System Can Help in GCC Women's Empowerment
Bahrain Tribune - 02 January, 2008
Quota
system is the only solution to empower women and involve them in the
decision-making process in the Gulf region, according to a recent study.
Conducted by the executive office of GCC Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs
based in Bahrain, the study recommends the GCC to implement a quota system to
enhance women’s participation in the development of men-oriented societies in
the Gulf.
GCC countries’ constitutions stress gender equality in terms of rights and
responsibilities but discrimination against women exists. So the quota system
will be a good measure to change the public mindset and encourage women to take
part in the parliamentary process and take up top jobs in government and
private organisations.
No women could win parliamentary elections in the Gulf in 2002 and Bahrain and
UAE, for example, appointed some in their parliaments.
MP Latifa Al Qaood was the first woman to win a seat in Bahrain in 2006 because
she contested unopposed in a constituency without many a home (Hawar Island).
The study calls for legal protection for women from domestic and social abuse
and ensuring their rights as well as gender equality in curricula at schools
and universities. The study is part of the office’s keenness to address GCC
women’s needs.
Besides their involvement in the decision-making process, the study highlights
the need to promote women in all walks of life to enable them to become real
partners in development and eliminate discrimination against them.
The study also highlights women’s lack of awareness about their rights and
calls on the authorities to inform women in the region that they have the right
to ask for more services from their governments and society.
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