Kuwait: Women determined to restore normalcy to parliament

Al Watan Daily

KUWAIT: A number of political activists and candidates have underscored the importance of giving women the opportunity to gain access to the National Assembly to contribute towards the nation''s development.
The activists made the appeal during a symposium held at Kuwait Bar Association Tuesday amid a strong presence of concerned individuals.
Making comments at the symposium, former minister and First Constituency candidate Masouma AlـMubarak lamented that although the first consultative council was set up in 1921, women have not been able to make headway as far as active participation in politics is concerned.
"After a long struggle, Kuwaiti women were granted their full political rights on May 16, 2005, which was followed by the appointment of two women in the Municipal Council as well as the appointment of Kuwait''s first ever female minister on June 12, 2005," she said, but arguing that there was still much to be done in terms of women in politics.
For her part, Thikra AlـRasheedi indicated that the main obstacle to women''s quest to gain access to parliament "is the fact that they have failed to underscore the importance of their participation in the electoral process."
She explained that women "have been always on the defensive as they stressed their independence and competence."
Meanwhile, Dr. Heila AlـMekeimy reiterated women''s strong determination "to restore the normal parliamentary life, which has been profoundly marred by disputes and incessant political wrangling."
She went on to explain that having women in the parliament "will create a sort of balance, since women are calm and sensible in their dialogue."
She criticized some MPs for using "vague language in the parliament that the common man fails to comprehend."
Moreover, she commented on the unprecedented political instability that Kuwait has witnessed, and said that voters must be decisive to end the paradox that exists in the political arena by voting for women, "since they are most likely to cause a change."
She lamented the fact that many citizens, especially women, were not included in the electoral rolls.
Finally, she expressed hope that AlـMubarak and AlـRasheedi would be registered as MPs "in order to regain a normal and healthy parliamentary environment."