ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the evolution of women's role, defined and focused as a result of socio-economic changes and particularly highlighted in unfolding crisis conditions. Bahraini women underwent the same process of transformation that their country experienced in the 80s and early 90s. In spite of basic improvements in the living conditions, education and politicization of most women, the extent and amount of these improvements were neither uniform nor pervasive. Following the 1975 Parliamentary crisis, political activities were banned and women acquiesced. It was a period of economic prosperity during the 70s and early 80s. While the 70s saw the emergence of an urban, largely Sunni middle class, the late 80s saw these developments reach the village, mostly Shii communities. These local conditions had been exacerbated by international and regional political and economic factors. The decade of the 80s saw the physical sign of Bahrain’s incorporation into the Saudi sphere of influence through the 22km.
