March 8, BAHRAIN, WOMEN ARE LEADING
"struggle for democracy, for without discrimination against Bahrain's Shiites, but also for our rights," says journalist and activist on the eve of 8 March Rim Khalifa
GIORGIO DI MICHELE *
Along the broad avenues that depart from Piazza della Perla yesterday were women compose a large part of human chain symbolizes the unity of the country. "We are the protagonists of this revolt. We fight for democracy, a Bahrain without discrimination between Sunnis and Shiites but also for our rights. " Rim Khalifa smiles describing the role they're playing the bahrenite in the fight against the monarchy and the government and to rebuild the country on new foundations.
"I had never seen anything like that, is a good sign for the celebration of 8 March," he adds. Journalist's flagship Wasat, independent newspaper that Bahrain differently by the media megaphone of the system (virtually all), is considered a "voice" of the protest, Khalifa is involved in two jobs: as a reporter and activist. "Do not be fooled dall'abaya wearing black in public almost all women, because it is part of local tradition - says Khalifa -. Something important is happening. The women, of every condition, religious and secular, young and old, come from homes and fight alongside men, in the dissemination of information and management of the camp in the Pearl Square. "
This is an exceptional development, said Khalifa, for a country where wives and daughters usually stay home, do not go out hardly ever. But for the journalist is changing men, too. "Of course, the company was and remains in the hands of men and is still a long road that leads to the realization of our rights - feel - for some time but things are changing, the male bahreniti look with different eyes to the role of women, the young begin ideas to overcome stereotypes and patriarchal and authoritarian society. "
Among the Gulf countries, Bahrain has seen, first of all, some major awards for women. In many cases it was the monarchy itself to support initiatives to support women's empowerment. The same happened to a lesser extent (and different) in other Gulf countries where the direct intervention of so-called "sheikhs" (wives of the leaders), has encouraged some changes. Sheikha Sabiha, wife of King of Bahrain Hamad Al Khalifa, at a conference of the League of Women Entrepreneurs, said that women are at the center of the country's reform movement "that seeks to modernize, to freedom of expression, free elections and human rights. "
those nice words of 'Sheikh', but very far from the reality of his country. In most cases it was cosmetic changes wanted by the regime bahrenita to offer a better image and to avoid outside criticism for serious violations of human rights and political rights.
course, no one forgets that in Bahrain Mona Jassem Al Kawari was appointed a judge of a civil court, the first woman across the Gulf to occupy this position, while the prosecutor Amina Isa, was the first to represent the Office the prosecution in court hearings. Not to mention Latifa At Gaoudi, the first woman parliamentary country.
But behind these achievements, there remain high resistance of the more traditional and conservative segments of society. "The future of Bahrain political class that is emerging on the Piazza della Perla must keep in mind that laws and rules must be changed now that severely limit their opportunities - explains Khadija H., ministerial used - not forgetting to pay the higher of the account discrimination are the low-income women, widows or divorcees who have to deal with a company that boycotts and a regime that is indifferent to them. " And if a woman is a Shiite, adds Khadija, has to deal with a state that boycott members of his faith as well as the strict rules of patriarchal society. For
Jalila Sayyed, woman-lawyer who defended political prisoners in some important processes for 'terrorism', only with "the end of the regime in Bahrain is possible to imagine a major social change." The culture of rights, Sayyed says, "should become part of the assets of each bahrenita." Nena News
* this article 'was published March 6, 2011 by Il Manifesto
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