Voters shrug off women's roleGulf Daily NewsAugust 28 2005By TARIQ KHONJIMORE than two-thirds of Bahrainis do not consider the representation of women in parliamentary and municipal elections to be an essential part of the democratic process, according to a local study.
The Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research (BCSR) survey found that 72.5 per cent of the 860 men and women who took part disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement that female representation was important.
It also found that 78.2pc of them felt that women's votes were not a personal decision that they had a right to undertake on their own.
The study was conducted by United Nations Development Programme sociology expert Dr Sameera Al Sayed, who said that these results show a lack of political awareness among both the male and female electorate.
Pressure from husbands was cited as being one of the main reasons that women chose not to vote for other women in the 2002 elections.
Thirty-one women stood for municipal council seats and eight for parliament - but none were elected.
Dr Al Sayed said these views have a lot to do with upbringing.
"People should be taught early on that women should be considered free individuals and not under their husbands' thumbs," she said.
"As a woman, I should expect people to respect me for being my own person, with my own opinions and outlook. I shouldn't be forced to follow my husband's opinion when it comes to choosing someone who I think will represent my interests."
The study was commissioned by the Supreme Council for Women and carried out for the BCSR by a team led by Dr Al Sayed, who is also a lecturer at Bahrain University.
A total of 427 men and 433 women, aged 18 and above, took part in the survey. They came from all walks of life and across all geographic locations within Bahrain.
The study also found that religion played a big role in women's participation in the election process.
About of 59.7pc of those surveyed felt that women's participation is not a religious duty, while 25 per cent were undecided.
A total of 56pc felt that women's political agendas went against those of religious societies, with 25.8pc undecided, while 61.5pc felt that women's political participation was a Western value, alien to Bahraini society, with 20.8pc undecided.
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