Kuwait City, Kuwait — Kuwait concluded 2024 by reinforcing its commitment to women’s empowerment, guided by the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Kuwait’s efforts to promote women’s rights and recognize their potential have positioned the country as a leader in advancing gender equality and development in the Gulf region.

The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security reported that Kuwait improved its ranking in women’s empowerment, climbing from 123rd to 61st place out of 177 countries. The country also advanced by 10 points in narrowing the gender gap. Kuwait has integrated women into government decision-making in alignment with Article 29 of the Constitution, the New Kuwait 2035 Vision, and the United Nations’ fifth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), which focuses on gender equality.

Constitutional and legislative support

Article 29 of Kuwait’s constitution states: “All people are equal in human dignity, and in public rights and duties before the law, without distinction as to race, origin, language or religion.” This principle underpins the nation’s development plans, which ensure women’s rights and promote their roles in social, economic, and political spheres.

Women constitute more than 58 percent of Kuwait’s workforce, with 48 percent employed in the private sector and 60 percent in the public sector. They occupy 28 percent of executive roles, including positions as ministers, undersecretaries and assistant undersecretaries. Women also represent 47 percent of senior and executive roles in the ministry of defense and 43 percent in the military engineering sector.

Significant milestones include the appointment of four women as managers in the public prosecution, 88 female prosecutors and 19 judges. For the first time in Kuwait’s history, 19 women joined the Amiri Guard, while over 900 women now serve in the police force. The ministry of foreign affairs boasts 144 female diplomats, accounting for 22 percent of its total diplomatic staff. Women also hold 54 percent of the workforce in Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), 41 percent of executive posts at the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), 35 percent of banking roles and 26 percent of executive banking jobs.

Initiatives and agreements

Kuwait was the first Gulf country to adopt an initiative to empower women in the private sector, aligning with a 2010 agreement with UN Women. It also launched the “Waraqati” regional project, which promotes women’s legal rights and protections, enabling their active participation across all sectors.

The ministry of social affairs and labor has supported families by encouraging entrepreneurship, offering easy loans and organizing exhibitions to promote their products. These initiatives have helped 214 beneficiaries become economically independent by establishing their own businesses. More than 40 private companies in Kuwait have adopted initiatives to support women, including the “Kuwait Platform for Women’s Economic Empowerment”.

Kuwait has also ratified international agreements to combat discrimination, human trafficking, and exploitation, as well as to protect children’s rights. Collaboration with the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) aims to further enhance the capabilities of Kuwaiti women in proactive development roles.

Milestones in leadership and recognition

In December 2023, Kuwait established the National Committee for Women, Peace and Security and the Kuwait Women Award. The Cabinet also founded the women and entrepreneurship committee in 2021. May 16 is annually celebrated as Kuwait Women’s Day, marking the anniversary of women gaining political rights in 2005.

The current government includes three female ministers: Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah, Minister of Social Affairs, Labor, Family and Childhood Affairs; Dr Noura Al-Mashaan, Minister of Public Works; and Noura Al-Fassam, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic and Investment Affairs. Legislation supporting women includes the 2020 law against domestic violence, the 1956 education law, the 2010 disability rights law, and the 2015 law combating cybercrimes and blackmail.

Sports and global achievements

Kuwait has invested in sports infrastructure to encourage women’s participation in athletic events. The Public Authority for Sport’s 2022–28 strategy includes developing facilities for women to enhance their skills and experience. In 2024, Dr Reem Al-Shemmari won the Arab Cybersecurity Woman Award, and Dr Asmaa Al-Kandari was appointed as the Middle East representative for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Lama Al-Uraiman was named vice-chairperson of the Middle East and Central Asia Committee of the International Association for Space Navigation.

In sports, Suad Al-Faqaan and Amina Shah became the first Kuwaiti women to compete in water sports at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Al-Faqaan earning third place in rowing. Kuwaiti women have consistently proven themselves as vital contributors to all facets of society, reinforcing their role as equal partners in the nation’s progress. — KUNA

(ENDS)