Arab Times
KUWAIT, April 27, (KUNA): A Kuwaiti specialist in electronic systems and social polls, Salah Al-Jassem, has carried out a survey of voters with the aim of examining their views in the nominees and women’s chances of winning. Al-Jassem said in remarks to KUNA that had carried out three electronic polls on the voters’ orientations and their comments on the performance of the dissolved parliament. The expert said he conducted the first poll in 1996, where he tried to sense chances of the women to win a seat in the parliament, particularly in the first and third circuits. He opines that the Kuwaiti women have gradually improved their chances of occupying seats in the National Assembly, and expressed his belief that some female candidates will garner enough votes to realize this objective in the upcoming polls.
Al-Jassem, who in the past elections made anticipations as to the would-be winners in the polls, said popularity of some of the nominees jostling for seats in the current run-up campaign has apparently waned. On the mechanisms of his work, he said conducting the poll is not an easy work and indicated at some major obstacles such as having access to some segments of the society namely the elderly. Asked whether the anticipations had proven accurate, he said they had been accurate in the 2003 and 2006 elections, but in the 1999 polling process, they were not in two districts “due to some unexpected factors at the time.” He also hints that the calculations prove inaccurate in vote-buying cases.
Improvement
Meanwhile, fourth constituency candidate Saad Al-Khanfour called for improvement of public services, especially employment. During a seminar titled “Kuwait’s Future is Everybody’s Responsibility”, which took place in Sabah Al-Nasser area last night, Al-Khanfour reiterated the need to double efforts so as to improve healthcare, educational and security services. Al-Khanfour voiced bewilderment over the health ministry for not building new hospitals in al-Jahra and al-Farwaniya governorates in almost 25 years. He also talked about large numbers of Kuwaiti students studying abroad due to small number of universities in Kuwait, proposing that branches of accredited universities should be opened here.
As for employment, Al-Khanfour called for solving such problem, especially for high school graduates and under.
Calling for cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in the upcoming period, Al-Khanfour rooted for the drop of loan interests. The fourth constituency groups 99,882 votes distributed over 19 residential areas. In the meantime, candidate for the Fourth Constituency Mubarak Al-Khrainij called voters to elect the candidate that would serve Kuwait the best, and stressed the importance of countering and refraining from adding to political tension. The remarks were made as Al-Khrainij kicked off his parliamentary campaign Sunday night. Kuwaitis are expecting actions, he said, not empty slogans, stressing the importance of achieving development and fighting corruption in every form.
Showing posts with label survey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label survey. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Bahrain: Tough laws urged to protect women
NINETY-ONE per cent of Bahraini mothers filing for divorce have been physically abused by their husbands, a survey has revealed.
According to the study, 2,165 women out of 2,391 surveyed had been abused after bearing children, while after marriage and before pregnancy it was 152 (6pc) and during the engagement period it was 74 (3pc).
Bahrain Women's Union president Mariam Al Ruwaie said the survey showed there was a strong link between violence against women and personal status.
She called upon the authorities of Bahrain to toughen up the country's laws against those who commit violence against women.
The rights activist pointed out that article 353 of Bahrain's penal code stipulated that whoever raped or had illegitimate sex with a woman would not be punished if the situation was corrected by marriage.
However, she said, such laws allowed abusers to get away with their crimes.
"There is an urgent need to find a legal platform that criminalises abuse," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
"We need to pass a protection against family violence law that has already been presented to parliament, and we need to amend the penal code for stricter punishments."
The survey was conducted by the union at 13 family council centres and law offices in Bahrain.
It revealed that violence against women was ethically and socially acceptable.
It found that in 623 (19pc) cases recorded at the centres and law offices, the wife continued to suffer without getting a divorce while her case remained in the court.
The survey revealed that in such cases 40pc dragged on for less than a year, 32pc for five to eight years, and 2pc for eight to 10 years.
Out of 247 cases filed, 110 (45pc) women were still waiting for a divorce after a year or less. While 102 women (41pc) were still waiting for a divorce after one to three years, and 10 (4pc) after eight to 10 years.
The main reason women asked to be separated from their husbands was in 27pc of cases due to his immoral behaviour.
While in 23pc of cases it was because the husband failed to take proper financial responsibility for his wife and children.
Other reasons were that the woman's husband was psychologically ill or had abandoned her.
Ms Al Ruwaie presented the results of the survey at the United Nations celebration to mark International Women's Day.
The event was held at the Cultural Hall, near the Bahrain National Museum, yesterday and was attended by government officials and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the media.
Ms Al Ruwaie applauded the co-operation and co-ordination of the government and NGOs on the issue of combating domestic violence.
She said recent steps in this direction included the creation of a committee for domestic violence against women at the Health Ministry, as well as a training programme for the police and Public Prosecution on how to deal with victims of abuse.
Another positive step, she noted, was the Dar Al Aman shelter, which had been established by the Social Development Ministry and was now being run by the Bahrain Sociologists Society.
"However, all these steps are still modest and don't meet the requirements for the escalating problem of violence against women," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
Meanwhile, Ms Al Ruwaie said steps are also needed to protect housemaids from domestic violence.
She said according to 2001 figures (the latest available), there were 29,583 domestic helpers in Bahrain of which 21,291 were women. However, more up to date data on domestic helpers was needed, she said.
"In Bahrain there is a lack of societies or organisations that work for the rights of domestic workers and there are no statistics on abuse cases towards them that have gone to court," she added.
-- Gulf Daily News By REBECCA TORR
According to the study, 2,165 women out of 2,391 surveyed had been abused after bearing children, while after marriage and before pregnancy it was 152 (6pc) and during the engagement period it was 74 (3pc).
Bahrain Women's Union president Mariam Al Ruwaie said the survey showed there was a strong link between violence against women and personal status.
She called upon the authorities of Bahrain to toughen up the country's laws against those who commit violence against women.
The rights activist pointed out that article 353 of Bahrain's penal code stipulated that whoever raped or had illegitimate sex with a woman would not be punished if the situation was corrected by marriage.
However, she said, such laws allowed abusers to get away with their crimes.
"There is an urgent need to find a legal platform that criminalises abuse," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
"We need to pass a protection against family violence law that has already been presented to parliament, and we need to amend the penal code for stricter punishments."
The survey was conducted by the union at 13 family council centres and law offices in Bahrain.
It revealed that violence against women was ethically and socially acceptable.
It found that in 623 (19pc) cases recorded at the centres and law offices, the wife continued to suffer without getting a divorce while her case remained in the court.
The survey revealed that in such cases 40pc dragged on for less than a year, 32pc for five to eight years, and 2pc for eight to 10 years.
Out of 247 cases filed, 110 (45pc) women were still waiting for a divorce after a year or less. While 102 women (41pc) were still waiting for a divorce after one to three years, and 10 (4pc) after eight to 10 years.
The main reason women asked to be separated from their husbands was in 27pc of cases due to his immoral behaviour.
While in 23pc of cases it was because the husband failed to take proper financial responsibility for his wife and children.
Other reasons were that the woman's husband was psychologically ill or had abandoned her.
Ms Al Ruwaie presented the results of the survey at the United Nations celebration to mark International Women's Day.
The event was held at the Cultural Hall, near the Bahrain National Museum, yesterday and was attended by government officials and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the media.
Ms Al Ruwaie applauded the co-operation and co-ordination of the government and NGOs on the issue of combating domestic violence.
She said recent steps in this direction included the creation of a committee for domestic violence against women at the Health Ministry, as well as a training programme for the police and Public Prosecution on how to deal with victims of abuse.
Another positive step, she noted, was the Dar Al Aman shelter, which had been established by the Social Development Ministry and was now being run by the Bahrain Sociologists Society.
"However, all these steps are still modest and don't meet the requirements for the escalating problem of violence against women," said Ms Al Ruwaie.
Meanwhile, Ms Al Ruwaie said steps are also needed to protect housemaids from domestic violence.
She said according to 2001 figures (the latest available), there were 29,583 domestic helpers in Bahrain of which 21,291 were women. However, more up to date data on domestic helpers was needed, she said.
"In Bahrain there is a lack of societies or organisations that work for the rights of domestic workers and there are no statistics on abuse cases towards them that have gone to court," she added.
-- Gulf Daily News By REBECCA TORR
Monday, December 8, 2008
UAE: Women marginal in private sector
Most private employers lack a strategy to recruit Emirati women, but half plan to hire them in the coming year, a survey indicates.
The survey by the research company YouGov Siraj showed a willingness to add Emirati women to the workforce, but 60 per cent of businesses had not developed a strategy to employ more of them.
Only 13 per cent of private sector employees are Emirati women, the study found.
The study was commissioned by Tawteen, an initiative of the Emirates Foundation that promotes private sector employment for Emiratis. Emiratis of both sexes typically gravitate toward the public sector. Overall, Emiratis make up about 10 per cent of the private sector workforce.
But the study, preliminary details of which were provided to The National, shows that many Emirati women want to enter the workforce. A majority of women surveyed said it was better for families if mothers worked outside the home.
Asked to choose which of two statements they agreed with, 70 per cent picked “it is a mother’s responsibility to work so that she can be a role model for her children”. Eighteen per cent agreed that staying at home with children was best, to “see to their proper upbringing”.
“The survey may show that 70 per cent of women may say they want to work, even if they are mothers, but this still appears to be more an indication of attitudes than behaviour,” said Hussain Alothman, a professor of sociology at the University of Sharjah. “Because when you look at behaviour, it’s still a bit early in the game to say that women are beginning to readily participate in the workforce as they have done in education.” The majority of students in UAE postsecondary schools are women.
Prof Alothman said unlike women in other Arab countries, the issue of staying home and raising children was not the decisive factor in keeping Emirati women from taking jobs. “The issue is more about how the men perceive women being employed. Most local men do not want their wives to go outside the home to work.”
In the YouGov study, researchers surveyed and held focus-group discussions with women from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Subjects included women who were working, first-time job seekers and some who left work but wanted to return. Influential male figures, including fathers, brothers and husbands, also participated. The researchers also interviewed 51 employers.
Two major reasons for employers to hire Emirati women, the researchers found, were to “add prestige” to their organisations (45 per cent) and to promote “cultural know-how and social connections” (41 per cent).
Eighty-four per cent of the companies surveyed said they had introduced development and training opportunities for Emirati women. Sixty-three per cent offered flexible working hours and about half extended maternity leave. But the researchers concluded that private sector employers have not found the right formula.
Employers “need to persuade Emiratis that the private sector is a good choice by introducing family-friendly and culturally sensitive measures”, said Suzan Sandouka, the programme director of Tawteen.
Tawteen’s objective is to “address a number of existing of misconceptions about the private sector for Emiratis and to alleviate their anxieties identified in this research, such as lack of job security and stability, lack of prestige and lack of flexibility”.
Mohanned Tabishet, an anthropologist at UAE University, said shifting women away from the public sector would be difficult because of the perceived advantages of working for the state.
“In practical terms, the state has been more beneficial than the private sector. It pays more benefits and offers more stability,” Prof Tabishet said. “With the private sector you lack many of these benefits, like the housing stipends.
“Women look to the state as a secure form of employment. It’s a logical extension of their social surroundings.”
By Hugh Naylor, The National
The survey by the research company YouGov Siraj showed a willingness to add Emirati women to the workforce, but 60 per cent of businesses had not developed a strategy to employ more of them.
Only 13 per cent of private sector employees are Emirati women, the study found.
The study was commissioned by Tawteen, an initiative of the Emirates Foundation that promotes private sector employment for Emiratis. Emiratis of both sexes typically gravitate toward the public sector. Overall, Emiratis make up about 10 per cent of the private sector workforce.
But the study, preliminary details of which were provided to The National, shows that many Emirati women want to enter the workforce. A majority of women surveyed said it was better for families if mothers worked outside the home.
Asked to choose which of two statements they agreed with, 70 per cent picked “it is a mother’s responsibility to work so that she can be a role model for her children”. Eighteen per cent agreed that staying at home with children was best, to “see to their proper upbringing”.
“The survey may show that 70 per cent of women may say they want to work, even if they are mothers, but this still appears to be more an indication of attitudes than behaviour,” said Hussain Alothman, a professor of sociology at the University of Sharjah. “Because when you look at behaviour, it’s still a bit early in the game to say that women are beginning to readily participate in the workforce as they have done in education.” The majority of students in UAE postsecondary schools are women.
Prof Alothman said unlike women in other Arab countries, the issue of staying home and raising children was not the decisive factor in keeping Emirati women from taking jobs. “The issue is more about how the men perceive women being employed. Most local men do not want their wives to go outside the home to work.”
In the YouGov study, researchers surveyed and held focus-group discussions with women from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Subjects included women who were working, first-time job seekers and some who left work but wanted to return. Influential male figures, including fathers, brothers and husbands, also participated. The researchers also interviewed 51 employers.
Two major reasons for employers to hire Emirati women, the researchers found, were to “add prestige” to their organisations (45 per cent) and to promote “cultural know-how and social connections” (41 per cent).
Eighty-four per cent of the companies surveyed said they had introduced development and training opportunities for Emirati women. Sixty-three per cent offered flexible working hours and about half extended maternity leave. But the researchers concluded that private sector employers have not found the right formula.
Employers “need to persuade Emiratis that the private sector is a good choice by introducing family-friendly and culturally sensitive measures”, said Suzan Sandouka, the programme director of Tawteen.
Tawteen’s objective is to “address a number of existing of misconceptions about the private sector for Emiratis and to alleviate their anxieties identified in this research, such as lack of job security and stability, lack of prestige and lack of flexibility”.
Mohanned Tabishet, an anthropologist at UAE University, said shifting women away from the public sector would be difficult because of the perceived advantages of working for the state.
“In practical terms, the state has been more beneficial than the private sector. It pays more benefits and offers more stability,” Prof Tabishet said. “With the private sector you lack many of these benefits, like the housing stipends.
“Women look to the state as a secure form of employment. It’s a logical extension of their social surroundings.”
By Hugh Naylor, The National
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tunisia: Currently 18,000 Women Heads of Enterprises in Tunisia
According to a recent report, there are currently some 18,000 women heads of enterprises in Tunisia .
The report which was presented on Wednesday on the occasion of a symposium of Tunisian women heads of enterprises, was jointly carried out by the International Foundation of Financing and Co-operation, and the Arab Women Centre for Training and Research (CAWTAR).
The document marks the final stage of a research and opinion poll conducted among businesswomen and includes data and indicators pertaining to investment and potentialities of businesswomen's organizations and associations.
The report is a useful tool for decision-makers, insofar as it presents reliable information which might help them enhance women's participation in investment and boost their role in the economy.
In her opening address, the Minister of women's affairs, children, family and the elderly, Mrs Sarra Kanoun Jarraya, stressed the initiatives and legislation promoting women in Tunisia , saying that the aims of the 11 th plan were to raise the part of active women in Tunisia 's population to 28,7% by 2011.
Mrs. Carmen Niethammer, director in charge of the Foundation's program for gender and business activities, presented a paper on businesswomen in the MENA region.
In her presentation, Mrs Niethammer shed light on the role played by businesswomen in economic growth, pointing out the urgent need to carry out studies on the situation and needs of businesswomen which should be considered by decision-makers, financial institutions and investment-support organizations as references.
-- Tunisia Online
The report which was presented on Wednesday on the occasion of a symposium of Tunisian women heads of enterprises, was jointly carried out by the International Foundation of Financing and Co-operation, and the Arab Women Centre for Training and Research (CAWTAR).
The document marks the final stage of a research and opinion poll conducted among businesswomen and includes data and indicators pertaining to investment and potentialities of businesswomen's organizations and associations.
The report is a useful tool for decision-makers, insofar as it presents reliable information which might help them enhance women's participation in investment and boost their role in the economy.
In her opening address, the Minister of women's affairs, children, family and the elderly, Mrs Sarra Kanoun Jarraya, stressed the initiatives and legislation promoting women in Tunisia , saying that the aims of the 11 th plan were to raise the part of active women in Tunisia 's population to 28,7% by 2011.
Mrs. Carmen Niethammer, director in charge of the Foundation's program for gender and business activities, presented a paper on businesswomen in the MENA region.
In her presentation, Mrs Niethammer shed light on the role played by businesswomen in economic growth, pointing out the urgent need to carry out studies on the situation and needs of businesswomen which should be considered by decision-makers, financial institutions and investment-support organizations as references.
-- Tunisia Online
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