Veiled Women Drivers: Curbs on Male Cops
MANAMA — Male traffic officers in Bahrain will not have powers to force veiled women drivers to show their face for security reasons, according to amendments made on Wednesday by a parliamentary committee.
Parliament has been rejecting a draft law to amend the traffic law for giving traffic officials the right to ask women wearing veils to show their face.
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“The bill cannot be adopted without amendments as male traffic officers could ask policewomen to check the identity of female drivers who cover their face,” lawmaker Bosandul said, adding that asking for documents and licence was enough to check the identity of such drivers. The government allowed women wearing veil to drive in 2004 after a two-year campaign by the Al Asala.
“The clause is nothing to do with security and safety as I’m sure statistics would prove their involvement in less accidents than other segments like youth, but some liberals are ashamed of those drivers who follow Islamic principles,” Bosandul said.
He said if assigning policewomen to do such task was difficult especially at night, the traffic authority could use high-tech devices.
