From the Daily News of Bahrain - May 14, 2008
Special quota plea for women
By GEOFFREY BEW
A SPECIAL quota is needed to guarantee women's participation in municipal council and parliaments across the Arab world, a leading Bahraini lawyer said yesterday.
Former United Nations (UN) General Assembly president Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa did not specify what percentage of candidates should be female, but said the move was the only way to guarantee more equality in the region's politics.
"Few women stand for office even when they are allowed to do so by law and whenever they resume high positions like ministerial ones it is often by appointment," said Shaikha Haya.
"The adoption of a quota system in parliament and government positions could be the best bet for securing a role for women in politics.
"A pre-assigned number of seats for women in the elected municipal and representative councils would ensure that women's voices are heard within the legislative and decision-making bodies."
Shaikha Haya was speaking at the Women and Leadership conference.
More than 200 people attended the event, including leading businesswomen and executives from across the Gulf.
Organised by BNP Paribas, it aimed to explore the important role women play in the Middle East and challenges facing them in empowerment.
Shaikha Haya was president of the UN General Assembly for 12 months until last September and was the first Muslim Arab woman to hold the post and only the third female in the history of the UN to do so.
She told delegates that preventing women's political rights being curtailed in the Arab world would also make parliaments more effective and accountable to their citizens.
Shaikha Haya praised the Bahrain's government in developing strategies to help women achieve more decision-making positions and economic independence. She also hailed the role of Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of His Majesty King Hamad and Supreme Council for Women chairwoman.
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