Bahrain is a very unique case study with regards to the development of women’s rights. Within the Arab Gulf region, it has become somewhat of a figurehead for the development of women’s rights, something which has long been a focal point of criticism against these countries. Bahrain currently ranks second in Gulf gender equality rankings, and 104th globally, having climbed 12 places in the past year. It is important to recognize this improvement, but it is equally important to acknowledge the improvements that must be made in order to ensure that women’s rights are approached with genuine intent to improve gender equality, rather than to appear adherent with international standards.
Bahrain has taken a pragmatic approach in improving female participation in sectors such as technology and education. The increased enrolment of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and education as a whole has resulted in women excelling and outperforming men in education. As Bahrain actively seeks to strengthen its economic prowess outside of its oil contributions, gender equality in the workforce has been a focal point. At the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in January 2025, Bahrain’s Economic Development Board declared its intentions to fully close the gender skills gap in high-growth industries (called “The Bahrain Skills and Gender Parity Accelerator”).
Furthermore, Bahrain has finally removed Article 353 of the 1976 Penal Code of Bahrain (also known as the “Marry Your Rapist Clause”), which absolved perpetrators of liability for sexual crimes if they married the victims. This development towards improving the fundamental rights of women, as well as their equality of opportunity in positions of education and labour force, are positive developments that must be recognised as such. However, there are still several areas in which Bahrain must improve upon, particularly with regards to oppressive marital and nationality laws.
Bahrain’s commitment to and implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) still contains several reservations which prevent the full elimination of discrimination against women. Notably, this includes Article 9(2), which calls for equal rights between men and women regarding women granting nationality to their children; Article 15(4), that calls for freedom of choice of residence and domicile; and Article 16, that calls for equality in marriage and family life. While these reservations were made upon accession in 2002, they remain a fundamental part of Bahraini society, and continue to form a barrier to greater equality for women.
Marriage in Bahrain creates asymmetrical conditions for women to exercise their rights and freedoms. Under Bahrain’s Unified 2017 Family Law, women are required to obey their husbands, and they cannot leave their homes unless they have a legitimate excuse. In addition, women can lose their rights to spousal maintenance (nafaqa) from their husbands if they are deemed to be disobedient. Under Bahraini Family Law, the legal age for marriage is still 16, and this age can be lowered if permission is granted from a court. With regards to nationality law, women are prevented from passing on their nationality to their children under the 1963 Citizenship Act, if the children have a non-Bahraini father. There has also been a criticism of the increased involvement of women in labour and politics as a form of “whitewashing” violations.
Overall, it is crucial to consider both sides of Bahrain’s approach to women’s equality. On one hand, the persisting imbalances pertaining to marriage and nationality point to foundational inequalities that will impede any further developments. On the other hand, where true attempts at eliminating discrimination towards women are present, they must be acknowledged and recognised as a step towards the right direction. It is fundamental that this direction is sustained, and further positive opportunities continue to arise for women. As emphasised by ADHRB, Bahrain must follow and implement CEDAW recommendations in order to fully realise a state of equality for women.