Bahraini women determined to build experience in political campaigning

In spite of lack of experience in political campaigning and local traditions that stand in their way, women candidates for the national council ( parliament) in Bahrain stressed on Monday they will forge ahead and take part in the coming parliamentary elections despite their failure in the municipal elections which took place in May this year.

Woman lawyer Shahzlan Khamis who nominated herself for the elections, said she had participated in the parliamentary elections and did not win but "I did not feel discouraged. It is a matter of principle. And I am ready to wage this experience more than one time until I succeed."

Another woman candidate Fayza al- Zayyani said "we will try to convince people of projects we have proposed and from this point we start." She added that the women candidate agreed not to compete against each other in the same election circles (location) so as to allow themselves the opportunity to compete with men.

Al- Zayani, who was working in the foreign ministry before nominating herself, noted that most men tell the woman and their wives to elect man, adding that if a woman fails, it will be a loss to society itself and not her's, and men also will loose her participation.

Women candidates have a unanimous position on that they have to make more effort in order to educate the public and women on the need to elect woman for political positions.

Statistics show that more than 50% of the voters in the municipal elections were women, yet, many of them admitted they cast their votes for men, considering that man are more capable of running matters.

Worthy mentioning that the parliamentary elections in Bahrain are considered a step on the road of reforms which was started by the King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.