Menu
Expat.com

Life as a female expat in Bahrain

Last activity 30 July 2018 by XTang

Post new topic

Priscilla

Hello,

While moving to a new country and discovering new cultures is definitely an exciting adventure, everybody experiences it differently. It can be particularly different for women, in both positive and negative ways.

What are some positive aspects about being a female expat in Bahrain?

What are some challenges in Bahrain that women face, and what are the ways to overcome them?

How is a woman's role viewed in Bahraini's culture and society?

Is it relatively safe for a woman to live in Bahrain?

How would a woman go about expanding her social network in a safe way?

Are there any resources available for women to help with their expatriation (e.g. books, articles, support networks, etc.)?

Thank you for sharing your experience,

Priscilla

GuestPoster45144

I think it might be challenging for single women moving in because your status attracts unwanted attention. I am kinda 'safe' because I am married and if I get that attention I do mention this.
Socialising can be challenging at time. When I just moved in I tried attending a couple of expat networking events with a couple of girls I have already met. We met lots of interesting people, but there would always be a creep or two in the crowd.
I do feel safe even though I did not feel comfortable at all when some men would be staring. Now I am used to it and I just stare back.
In terms of expanding your network, I found it useful to join various interest groups, like book clubs, running clubs, yoga classes, etc. because you meet like minded people.
I made some friends through work as well.

shahidshamweel

yes these days you will find that kind of stuff all over but where there is bad there is good also and i wish all the female always will be safe respected

steamsmyclams

Here's an interesting blog post on this topic: https://expatpanda.com/2018/06/20/life- … speak-out/

Full disclosure, I am one of them interviewed in this blog post.

ZoVaGu

Moving into new environment could be challenging a bit but still interesting. I moved in Bahrain 6 mo ago as a single woman and cannot say that my experience is awful, at least so far. All institutions (police, bank, hospital) are welcoming for women. It's advisable to follow the dress code rules at your work (applicable worldwide btw  :happy: )

Yes, there are some people staring at you but as long as you are dressed appropriately (skirt, trousers, blouse etc., no very open clothes), there is nothing to worry about. And please don't forget that all people have this habit of looking at someone new  :) It's absolutely ok to wear swimming suite, shorts at the beach or pool. What I like the most is that no one will come up to you and start that "stupid" conversation at coffeeshop, pool etc. 

I must admit that it is not that easy to socialize and to make new friends as society is rather closed, and you have to be careful with whom are in touch.  Gym, yoga classes, any other activities with people of the same mindset are the best for this. E.g. my Arabic class gave me 2 new good friends + your work can be a source of new people.

It's rather easy to live as a single woman in this country in terms of routine daily activities (you can always have help with your shopping bags, car wash, fixing something at the apartment etc.).

Wish you all great success in warm Bahrain!!!

shahidshamweel

wow its so good to hear that you are purely positive mind and brave girl i really appreciate your saying and thats is so true and really its not all over but only some areas no need to go alone in night times even the security of Bahrian is very tight but good to be save your self first peoples are good here just only some crack minded so no need to care about them and live freely my best wishes are following you hope you will get best time of your life here

ZoVaGu

Crack minded people can be everywhere and this does not depend on nationality, citizenship or country. Just to avoid them :)

derzai

shahidshamweel,

and could you give pls approximate places where not to go during night time? :)

Thanks!

shahidshamweel

very true and that is the correct solution about them well how you find Bahrain i mean about the places have you visited the attractive Historic places yet ?

shahidshamweel

yes dear places like Sitra, Jidhafs, Daih, Karzakan, Budiya better to avoid these places to go alone there in the night time

Nomsky

I would say the souq, Hoora and the Exhibition Street area. The villages you mention aren’t of much interest to expats and they hardly ever go there. I don’t imagine many expats go to Karzakan at night unless they got friends there and if they got friends there they would probably be fine.

shahidshamweel

very true but even in Hoora and Exhibition road there are some lonely streets better to avoid them also in night time you know last year even in new Juffair some locals snatched purses and jewelry from ladies  you can watch the videos over the YouTube well even with that still Bahrain is in the safest countries in whole world thats why still we are lucky to be here

Nomsky

I meant one should avoid those areas that I mentioned.

shahidshamweel

oh i see am totally agreed with it

XTang

Hoora, Exhibition road and Juffair have these issues mostly on the weekends and holidays where they are flooded with Saudis coming across the causeway for nights out.  The whole environment changes with traffic, drunk people and ladies of the night out and about - sleazy outlook.  Irrespective of safety risks which can happen off and on rarely; you don't really want to be in these areas if you are a female travelling alone - unnecessary and unwanted attention is what you will get.

The other areas mentioned are mostly local villages which expats are unlikely to visit.  The only exception being Sitra which you will drive through if you want to go to, say Riffa from Juffair (and even then, main Sitra is fine, it only the inner lying villages off the main highway which you should avoid).  And even then, minus the horrible traffic, it is generally fine except on Friday evenings and / or specific dates when a few demonstrations might happen or an explosion might be set off (happened once last year).

Generally, Bahrain is very safe and the only things you might experience are:

Being stuck in traffic during demonstrations while they burn tires and so on  OR
Petty crime like pick pocketing or bags being stolen

You are unlikely to be the victim of violent crime like mugging or assaults which is a higher likelihood in many big cities in the western world.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Bahrain

  • Getting married in Bahrain
    Getting married in Bahrain

    Bahrain allows anyone who resides in the country to get married, irrespective of nationality or religion. The ...

  • Driving in Bahrain
    Driving in Bahrain

    Expats love the freedom and convenience of driving, and many choose to purchase or rent their own car. But, ...

  • Opening a bank account in Bahrain
    Opening a bank account in Bahrain

    Opening a local bank account is essential for receiving your salary. The Wage Protection System (WPS) is designed ...

  • Relocating with your pets to Bahrain
    Relocating with your pets to Bahrain

    One of the decisions to make when relocating to a foreign country is what to do about pets. For many expats, there ...

  • Starting a business in Bahrain
    Starting a business in Bahrain

    According to the World Bank Group report for 2019, Bahrain lies 3rd out of 20 nations, for ease of doing business ...

  • Studying in Bahrain
    Studying in Bahrain

    The universities and colleges in Bahrain are too numerous to mention. The majority are Bahrain institutions, but ...

  • Education and childcare in Bahrain
    Education and childcare in Bahrain

    Both public and private schools are available in Bahrain, but most expats tend to enrol their children in private ...

  • Healthcare in Bahrain
    Healthcare in Bahrain

    Bahrain has world-class medical facilities, health professionals, and easy access to medical treatments. Public ...

All of Bahrain's guide articles