Shura Council proposal aims to lift business restrictions for married expatriate women

TDT | Manama

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Married expatriate women in Bahrain may soon be able to run businesses without needing their husbands’ permission, as a proposal to repeal an outdated law will be reviewed in the Shura Council this Sunday. The initiative seeks to abolish Article 14 of Bahrain’s Commercial Law, which currently requires foreign married women to obtain their husbands’ consent to engage in trade. Under the existing law, husbands can object to or withdraw consent at any time, imposing unnecessary restrictions on women who wish to start or manage a business. The proposed change, backed by the Financial and Economic Affairs Committee, aims to remove these barriers and create a more equitable business environment. This proposal aligns with Bahrain’s commitment to international conventions on gender equality. In 2002, Bahrain joined the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) through Decree-Law No. 5, affirming equality between men and women in fundamental rights and freedoms across political, economic, social, cultural, and civil domains.

Abolishing Article 14 would harmonise national legislation with Bahrain’s policy of non-discrimination in commercial activities.
It is consistent with De- cree-Law No. 27 of 2015 regarding the Commercial Register, which ensures that both men and women have equal opportunities to engage in commerce, provided they are registered and licensed according to the law. The move also reflects changes in regional legislation, such as the United Arab Emirates’ Federal Decree-Law No. 50 of 2022, which amended previous laws concerning the ability of married foreign women to engage in trade.

Proposal

Amid Bahrain’s economic openness and efforts to provide a safe and attractive investment environment, the proposal aims to enhance legal frameworks for women’s economic empowerment without discriminatory conditions that hinder economic equality between genders. It seeks to protect women’s financial and commercial rights and interests.

The proposal will be debated in the Shura Council and could be approved in upcoming sessions. If passed, it will allow women to pursue commercial ventures without unnecessary obstacles, supporting Bahrain’s goal of being a more inclusive and competitive market.