by Suad Hamada –Bahrain– Savatri used a condom for the first time in her life when she was forced into prostitution a few months ago. Fortunately, the 34-year-old Indian woman was instructed by the managers of the brothel to insist …

Condoms in Bahrain: Sex Workers’ Only Protection Against HIV/AIDS Read more »

by Suad Hamada –Bahrain– Polygamy is both legal and socially accepted in Bahrain and the rest of the Islamic world. Religious leaders defend the right of men to have up to four wives if they ensure equality among them. Yet, …

Legal and Social Acceptance of Polygamy Destabilizing Families Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – Fadhila is only allowed to go to the toilet after asking permission from her husband, she also puts up with his frequent demands for sex – even when she’s menstruating – but neither is …

The Hard Way Out: Divorce by Khula Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – Hell is what most Arabs think of when the word “transsexual” comes into any conversation since many mistake it with homosexuality, which is a sin in Islam. Most transsexuals prefer to remain anonymous since …

Transsexuals in the Middle East Await the Wave of Change Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – Getting a divorce and custody of one’s children is very difficult in Bahrain, even in cases where a husband sexually attacks his wife. The issue was exposed to the public last year, when an …

Bahrain Offers Women No Protection from Spousal Rape Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – Adhari was at one time a legendary site that attracted many tourists to the tiny desert island of Bahrain. Named for a beautiful girl whose tears flowed endlessly because she could not marry her …

Dependent on Desalinisation, Bahrain Faces Water Conflicts Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – “Arab and Gulf Banks will be completely safe from the global financial crisis.” That is what many Arab officials are announcing these days, but ordinary people are not reassured and fail to understand how …

Arabs Fear Global Financial Crisis Despite Official Assurances Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – They live in the richest states in the world but cannot afford to buy essential commodities because their countries were busy promoting oil related investments, rather than securing profitable food and agriculture industry. • …

Even Oil Can’t Put Food on the Table Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – Most of them came by sea through tough journeys, seeking better lives. They loved their new homelands both before and after the oil era that brought wealth beyond anyone’s expectations. Many of them fought …

Strangers in their Homes: the Stateless Ask, “How can I not be a Bahraini? I was born here!” Read more »

by Suad Hamada – Bahrain – “The land that I grew to love, hates my babies.” This is sadly what many Bahraini women of stateless children think to themselves every single day of their lives. Like outcasts, they feel helplessly …

Stop Hating Your Children: Bahrain’s Nationality Law Leaves Many of its Children Stateless Read more »