Bahrain is holding their elections at the end of November and has 18 women running, including one that is running unopposed. This means that the Gulf Region will have its first female parlimentarian. W00t!

In October 2002, Bahrain held its first parliamentary election in decades. There was strong participation by female voters in that election, but none of the female candidates won a seat.

Bahrain is a "healthy model for the region," said Under Secretary of State Hughes. "Statistics show that, as you educate and empower women, almost every other aspect of a society improves - from its economic prosperity to its health to its general welfare." Ms. Hughes also said that the United States favors the presence of international observers during Bahrain's elections. "We think it's important not only that [elections] be free and fair, but that the public is satisfied that they are free and fair," she said.

I agree. But you gotta love when US officials get on their high horse about women participating in democracy. I mean we just got our FIRST female speaker of the house.

via VOA.