November 2017 www.womanthismonth.com news 10 HOT SHOTS MAKING HISTORY The famous UK invitational rugby team, the Barbarians, is making history with the launch of a women’s team which will play its first match against Irish side, Munster, on November 10. It’s a significant step for the women’s game, which, despite having been around since the 1880s (when two matches had to be abandoned due to violent protests against females playing contact sport), has only come to prominence in the last few decades. Players from seven nations including New Zealand, France and Canada have already been recruited for the match, which will be followed by future contests against international sides, with a full schedule to be confirmed later this year. IN THE DOGHOUSE My excitement that IKEA is finally coming to the Kingdom has ramped up a notch with the news that the Swedish furniture giant has launched a whole range just for pets created by animalloving designers with input from vets. I shall be expecting my dogs to help with the self-assembly part! In other doggy news two dog-loving entrepreneurs have come up with a mobile-smart temperature monitoring device – Pup Alert – which lets you know if your pooch is getting too hot, even if they’re home alone, allowing you to turn up the AC. SUPPORT FOR EQUALITY A campaign has been launched seeking a change to the law that would allow Bahraini women to pass on their nationality to their children. There is a petition called #MakeADifference circulating on social media which is supported by the GDN, Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS), Bahrain Women’s Union, Bahrain Young Ladies Association and Women’s Crisis Care International. It has gained thousands of signatures and widespread support and is expected to be presented to MPs, who have recently returned from summer recess. Word of the Month Chairdrobe The art of piling clothes on a chair to be used in place of a closet or dresser. If a chair is not available one can always defer to a floordrobe. Thanks urbandictionary.com Apparently, this is not a real word but I think it really should be. DRIVING FORCE Following news that Saudi ruler HRH King Salman had announced the lifting of the ban on women driving, research, by agency Kantar TNS and its partners, has revealed that more than 80 per cent of the country’s females plan to apply for a licence. They said they would drive to work, to ferry children and would significantly reduce reliance on taxi services. The study highlighted general support for the change and also found that women felt their society was progressing in the right direction. You go girls! From the editor's chair, Liz O'Reilly shares the things that have piqued her interest this month. WATER SAFETY With reports of drownings virtually every year, it's great news that the island now has the organisation Royal Life Saving Bahrain, a national body that has launched a comprehensive strategy for both education and training to increase water awareness and safety. It was founded by Shaikha Nayla bint Hamad and is headed up by industry professionals including Bahraini Olympic swimmer Sameera Al Bitar. Already it is setting up programmes and taking action.
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