Parliament is set to hold an open debate on addressing the status and welfare of underage children, caught in legal or social limbo due to parental disputes or the absence of fathers.
The debate follows a formal request spearheaded by MP Jalal Kadhim Al Mahfoodh and supported by nine other members of Parliament.
It is expected to generate significant attention, with focus on the legal, social, and humanitarian consequences faced by children whose fathers are either unavailable, unco-operative, or deceased – especially when official documentation and legal guardianship are required for schooling, healthcare, or financial support.
Mr Al Mahfoodh stressed that the issue has become increasingly visible in recent years.
“We are seeing a worrying number of cases where children are denied their basic rights simply because their parents are in conflict or their father is absent – either by willful neglect, abandonment, or death. This is no longer a marginal issue; it has become a national concern,” said Mr Al Mahfoodh.
He noted that many children end up stateless or face bureaucratic obstacles in accessing education, healthcare, or even obtaining birth certificates and identification documents.
According to Mr Al Mahfoodh, one of the major challenges lies in existing legal frameworks, which often require the father’s consent or documentation for basic child services.
“Our laws presume the father’s presence and co-operation in every aspect of a child’s life, from registering their birth to enrolling them in school,” Mr Al Mahfoodh said.
“But what happens when that father is absent, in prison, abroad, or simply refuses to engage? The child becomes the unintended victim of that silence,” he argued.
He called for urgent reforms to give mothers or other guardians more legal authority in such cases, and for the state to intervene in exceptional humanitarian situations.
Mr Al Mahfoodh and his fellow MPs are seeking a multi-agency task force to study the cases and propose legal amendments.
The proposal recommends granting temporary custodial or decision-making authority to mothers or guardians in the absence of a father; fast-tracking child welfare cases in courts and launching a national database to track such cases and ensure co-ordination between ministries of Interior, Justice, Social Development and Education.
“We are not here to attack fathers or undermine families,” Mr Al Mahfoodh clarified.
“We are here to protect children – to ensure that no child is left in limbo simply because of adult conflicts.
“This is about dignity, rights, and the future of our nation.”
Mr Al Mahfoodh also called on civil society organisations, religious leaders, and legal experts to contribute to the dialogue.
“This is not a political issue, it’s a humanitarian one and we need a national conversation – one that transcends politics and focuses on what’s best for our children,” he said.
The debate is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
Several ministries and child welfare experts have been invited to observe and contribute to the discussions.
Bahraini media have recently highlighted cases where children were denied schooling, passports, or medical coverage due to missing paternal documents.
Social workers have warned that these gaps could have long-term psychological and developmental consequences for affected children.
Top stories for today:
Whetting the appetite!
Formula 1 kicks off with action and entertainment
Crackdown on commercial units intensified
&uuid=(email))