Ahmed Shaaban.-
Of the 78 women candidates, only one has made it to the Federal National Council (FNC) elections, and ironically, Naema Al Sharhan, also became the first women member from the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Khaleej Times, in a bid to find answers to this argumentative question talked to some voters here, but they have blamed a variety of reasons for what they believed a 'disappointing trend'.
Jaber Nasser Humaid, an Emirati businessman, said some may believe that women should stay at home.
"It is all about old traditions and customs, which some still stick to."
Mustafa Hassan, a citizen from Daqdaqa area, said most of the female FNC candidates are unfamiliar to the electoral college.
"You know it is all about connections and relations within the community."
Ibrahim Abdul Qader, a local of Al Rams area, said the electoral programmes of some female candidates were just copies of others, and the same applies to their male counterparts.
"There is nothing new, no innovation at all. FNC candidates should all think out of the box, and be more realistic." Juma Salem, a local of Al Rams area, said elections mean campaigning.
"Lacking right tools of campaigning is one of the main reasons behind the failure of some FNC candidates."
Rashid Saeed, an Emirati of Al Maamura area, said man and women here stand on equal footing.
"The UAE prudent leadership has politically empowered men and women alike, but I guess it is a matter of tribal and family bonds. I know many who have voted for their relatives though they said other counterparts are more competent than theirs."
Reiterating the same, 24-year-old Hind Humaid Bin Hindi, a student of public law at the Ajman University, was upset of the result and blamed tribal-based voting for the election of only woman candidate.
"I haven't voted for my relative because I find a more qualified candidate. All we need is a competent member to shed light on our concerns and find a way out for," she said.
She indicated that the right FNC candidate, "he or she should also be politically and legally aware to discuss, follow up, and enact laws and legislations in the council."
According to Sara Abdulllah, an Emirati executive secretary, the victory of "one woman out of 20 winners is all about tribal relations."
Fuente: http://khaleejtimes.com/nation/government/why-only-one-woman-made-it-to-fnc
