Proposal for women’s-only college faces strong opposition

TDT | Manama

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A parliamentary proposal to establish a women’s-only college at the University of Bahrain has been met with resistance from the Ministry of Education, the Supreme Council for Women, and the Bahrain Women’s Union. MPs Bader Al Tamimi, Hamad Al Doy, Mohammed Al Ahmed, Jameel Mullah Hassan, and Mohammed Al Rifai argued that a gender-exclusive institution could provide a more comfortable environment for female students, enhancing academic performance.

The Ministry of Education rejected the proposal, citing low enrollment in some programmes and the potential conflict with the university’s plans to expand its offerings. It emphasized that co-educational systems foster better learning outcomes through interaction and competition, recommending the Royal University for Women as an alternative for students seeking single-gender education.

The Supreme Council for Women pointed to the strong academic performance of Bahraini women, who made up 59% of undergraduates and 63% of graduates in 2022, arguing that the existing system does not hinder female success.

The Bahrain Women’s Union also opposed the idea, stating it would promote segregation, restrict career options, and contradict Bahrain’s commitments under international agreements like CEDAW. They emphasized the alignment of co-education with national strategies for women’s empowerment. The proposal is set to spark further debate in the parliament.