Such laws are also a cause for statelessness. If the family resided in the father’s country' and the father died or otherwise left the family, the mother would have to remain in that country (with whatever nationality issues that may have presented for her) or abandon her children to return to Egypt. This constitutes discrimination against women and is contrary to the provisions of Article 18 of the Bahraini Constitution in which equality between persons in rights and duties is recognised, without discrimination based on gender, origin, language, religion or beliefs.