Women Rights

Summary

This session explores the significant progress Bahrain has made over the past 20 years in empowering women politically, socially, and economically. Key developments include granting women suffrage, ensuring equal pay and maternity rights, and introducing family laws that give women more autonomy in marriage. The session also highlights the role of the Supreme Council for Women and the legal protections against arbitrary dismissal, especially during maternity and breastfeeding leave. These efforts reflect Bahrain’s commitment to promoting gender equality and supporting women’s rights across various sectors.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Bahrain has actively worked over the past 20 years to empower women politically, socially, and economically.
• 🏛️ The Supreme Council for Women was established on August 22, 2001, to promote women’s rights and opportunities.
• 📜 Bahrain ratified the CEDAW Convention in 2002 by Royal Decree No. 5, joining over 189 countries committed to protecting women’s rights.
• 🗳️ Bahrain was one of the first nations in the region to grant women the right to vote in 2002.
• 👩‍💼 In 2014, 16 women ran for parliamentary elections with 3 elected, and in 2018, 39 women ran with 6 elected.
• 💼 Women in Bahrain are entitled to equal treatment and salaries as their male counterparts in the workplace.
• ⚖️ The 2009 Family Law granted women rights such as consenting to marriage, setting conditions in marriage contracts, and maintaining separate residences if their husbands take another wife.
• 🤱 Female employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave under both the Civil Service Law and the Labor Law, plus additional leave for childbirth and child care.
• 🍼 Breastfeeding leave differs by sector: two hours daily for two years under the Civil Service Bureau, and varying hours for one year under the Labor Law.
• 👶 Women can take unpaid leave to care for children under six years old—up to two years per instance (three times total) in the public sector and six months per instance (three times total) in the private sector.
• 🚫 Article 104 of Bahrain’s Labor Law prohibits terminating a woman’s employment during maternity, marriage, or breastfeeding leave, as this constitutes unfair or arbitrary dismissal.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the Supreme Council of Women in Bahrain?

The primary goal of the Supreme Council of Women in Bahrain is to empower women politically, socially, and economically by providing them with adequate healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

When was the Supreme Council of Women established in Bahrain?

The Supreme Council of Women in Bahrain was established on August 22, 2001.

What is CEDAW and why is it important for women's rights?

CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) is an international treaty ratified by over 189 countries. It aims to protect women's rights and ensure their equality in political, economic, and social spheres.

When did women in Bahrain first gain the right to vote?

Women in Bahrain were granted the right to vote in 2002.

How many women were elected in the 2014 Bahrain elections?

In the 2014 Bahrain elections, three women were elected to the council.

What economic rights are women entitled to in Bahrain?

Women in Bahrain are treated equally to men in terms of economic rights, including equal salaries for equal work.

What social rights do women have under the Family Law in Bahrain?

Under the Family Law, women in Bahrain have the right to consent to marriage, set conditions in their marriage contracts, and seek separate residence if their husband marries another woman.

What are the maternity leave entitlements for female employees in Bahrain?

Female employees in Bahrain are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave, as per both the civil service law and labor law.

How does breastfeeding leave differ between the civil service law and the labor law in Bahrain?

Under the civil service law, women can take two hours of breastfeeding leave for up to two years. In the labor law, women are entitled to one year of breastfeeding leave, divided into two periods: the first six months with two hours, and the remaining six months with one hour per day.

Can a female employee in Bahrain take unpaid leave to care for her child?

Yes, female employees can take unpaid leave to care for their child. In the civil service law, they can take up to two years of unpaid leave three times throughout their service. In the labor law, the unpaid leave is limited to six months, also three times during their service.

What constitutes an arbitrary dismissal of a female employee in Bahrain?

An arbitrary dismissal is an unfair termination of a female employee's contract. According to Article 104 of Bahrain's labor law, it is prohibited to terminate the contract of a female employee during her maternity leave, breastfeeding leave, or marriage leave. Such termination would be considered an unfair dismissal.