Women across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have been increasingly calling for a reduction in the gender equality gap and more involvement in their countries' politics. Yet progress in granting women their rights remains slow despite many years of struggle. One of the most pressing issues in all GCC countries is that unlike their male counterparts, women are unable to pass their citizenships on to their children.

As such, Gulf women continue to perceive themselves as second-class citizens—with no signs of hope that these discriminatory policies will be reversed.

Nationality for children neglected in Bahrain

Bahraini national Zahra Salman Al-Najjar has lived with her Iraqi husband for 38 years. They have five children who do not hold Bahraini citizenship...