A BOOK documenting the future goals of the women’s rights movement in Bahrain has been published by the Bahrain Women’s Union (BWU) featuring a campaigning topic close to its heart.
Entitled ‘The Bahraini Mother’s Right to Pass on Citizenship to her Children: a Documentary Study,’ the new release was written by researcher Dr Mona Fadhel.
It proposes solutions and explores the path towards changing policies so that people born to non-Bahraini fathers can become Bahraini nationals.
“The current Nationality Law of 1963 does not grant Bahraini citizenship to children of a Bahraini mother and a foreign national,” said a BWU statement on the book.
“Changing this law will make Bahraini families more stable – only then will men and women in Bahrain be true equals as is mandated by the Constitution, in my opinion.”
According to the author, the book presents all aspects of the issue at hand, from defining citizenship to reviewing national data and statistics.
Meanwhile, the book’s cover features a painting by Bahraini artist and interior designer Mohammed Taha who champions the proposed policy change.
“The painting represents women’s laborious quest and persistent efforts to gain their rights,” the artist told the GDN.
Although Mr Taha did not create the painting specifically for the book, many of his paintings feature women.
“This acrylic paint-on-canvas piece was chosen by Dr Fadhel,” he said. “This subject is very important to me as it affects my grandson and granddaughter.
“Because my daughter is married to a Lebanese-Brazillian man, her children cannot acquire Bahraini citizenship.”
Indeed, Dr Fadhel lists several case studies in her book about people impacted by the current Nationality Law, along with interviews.
She also lists neighbouring countries’ ‘success stories’ related to updating their rules and regulations on this matter. “I examine similar legal frameworks that could help amend the law here,” said Dr Fadhel.
“I also look at previous studies, records, news stories and statistical information to portray the full picture.”
After spending 10 months researching the book, it finally came out last Tuesday.
The GDN in 2017 teamed up with campaigners and civil societies urging a revision of the law that would allow Bahraini women to pass on their nationality to their children.
It was part of a community movement called #MakeADifference, supported by the Bahrain Women’s Union, Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society, Bahrain Young Ladies Association, Women’s Crisis Care International and Citizens for Bahrain.
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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