No entry for Men in women-only zones

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Stay away from women-only spaces to avoid risking jail and a hefty fine.

The warning is in a new bill tabled before Parliament’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee, seeking approval.

If approved, any man sneaking into women-only places, pretending to be a woman, will receive up to a year in jail or a BD1,000 fine.

Also note: if the crime is committed while disguised, it would be considered an aggravating factor, allowing for a stiffer sentence.

The draft would add Article 351 bis to the Penal Code (Decree-Law No. 15 of 1976).

An explanatory note accompanying the draft states that some men conceal their identity to gain access to women-only spaces, with modern communication tools making intrusion and potential blackmail easier. Sponsors said the bill seeks to safeguard women’s privacy and the integrity of women-only gatherings, in line with constitutional protections.

The proposal draws on international precedents, citing the UAE’s Crimes and Penalties Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2022), which imposes even stricter penalties for similar conduct. It also allows judicial discretion, enabling courts to adjust punishments according to the circumstances of each case.

The bill is sponsored by MPs Jameel Mulla Hassan, Mohammed Al Rafaei, Hamad Al Doy, Abdulwahid Qarata, and Bader Al Tamimi.