The election of MP Jalila Alawi Al-Sayed Hassan as First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives in the Kingdom of Bahrain marks a new milestone in the political participation of Bahraini women, as she becomes the first woman to hold this position. The significance of this event lies in what it signifies regarding the evolution of women’s presence within legislative institutions—moving beyond mere parliamentary representation to assuming leadership roles within their institutional structures—which reflects the broadening scope of their participation in political life.
This development occurs within the context of the political and legislative transformations taking place in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa—may God protect and preserve him—alongside efforts to develop the constitutional and legal framework governing political participation. It also reflects the substantial contributions of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa—may God keep her safe—wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women. The National Action Charter and subsequent constitutional amendments established the legal foundation for women to exercise their political rights, including the right to vote and to run as candidates in parliamentary and municipal elections. Furthermore, the establishment of the Supreme Council for Women in 2001 served as a pivotal step toward strengthening institutional support for the advancement of women and expanding their participation across various development sectors, including the political sphere. The importance of these transformations is underscored by the synergy between the legal framework and institutional action: while the recognition of political rights lays the groundwork for participation, the relevant institutions actively support women’s presence and enhance their opportunities to reach decision-making positions. Women’s participation in the Council of Representatives was preceded by their presence in other legislative and foundational institutions. In 2000, four women were appointed to the Consultative Council (Shura Council), and six women served as members of the 46-person Supreme National Committee tasked with drafting the National Action Charter—a role that granted women a presence during a pivotal stage of the Kingdom’s political development. Regarding the Council of Representatives, women’s participation began with the 2002 elections, though no female candidates won seats. By 2006, one woman had secured a seat; this number subsequently rose to six in the 2018 elections, and further to eight in the 2022 elections—accounting for 20% of the Council’s total seats. This trajectory reflects a gradual expansion in female representation, while also illustrating that the transition from the legal recognition of rights to an increased electoral presence is a cumulative process shaped by a complex interplay of political, institutional, and societal factors.
In this context, the election of Fawzia Zainal as Speaker of the Council of Representatives in 2018 marked a historic milestone in the political representation of Bahraini women, as she became the first Bahraini woman to hold this position. The election of Jalila Al-Sayed as First Deputy Speaker represents a continuation of this trend, with women reaching yet another leadership role within the Council’s presiding structure. Al-Sayed secured 21 out of 34 valid votes, representing approximately 62% of the total valid ballots cast. The significance of this outcome lies not merely in the attainment of the position itself; rather, it highlights the evolving presence of women within parliamentary leadership and offers a broader perspective on the trajectory of their participation in the legislative institution. Evaluating women’s political participation requires distinguishing between three interconnected levels: numerical representation, which reflects the scale of their presence within the institution; leadership representation, manifested through the holding of positions of responsibility; and institutional influence, which relates to the extent of their contribution to legislative and oversight work, as well as the formulation of public policy. Accordingly, the election of Jalila Al-Sayed represents a development in parliamentary leadership and reflects the culmination of a cumulative process of legal and institutional empowerment.

Note: This article has been automatically translated, the full article is available in Arabic.

Mai Khalid Al-Souyouf, Research Assistant, Economic Studies Program, Derasat Center