SABA- 13 May 2009
Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum (SCER) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) discussed here on Wednesday aspects of the bilateral cooperation in the fields of democracy and election. SCER members Mohammed al-Sayani and Abdu al-Jandi held talks with the director of IFES office in Yemen Peter Williams on the possibility of supporting the SCER plans and programs during the next phase in fields of institutional building, training, rehabilitation and electoral awareness as well as promoting women's participation in the elections.
Showing posts with label women voters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women voters. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Kuwait: Al-Naki hosts political symposium on women's rights
Kuwait Times
By Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: Lawyer and former candidate Najla Al-Naki held an electoral symposium with candidates and intellectuals at her office in Salmiya on Monday evening. The symposium was related to the coming elections and the discussions focused mainly on women's rights. The speakers also focused on some of the mistakes made by the previous parliament.
According to some of the speakers, approving women's political rights did not come at the right time. Women gained their political rights in the summer of 2005 and they had less than two months to prepare for elections, which, according to writer Ghaneema Al-Fahad was "mission impossible." "If we want to paint a room, it needs more than a month to dry. The elections are always held in summer," Al-Fahad said.
Kuwaiti women are oppressed in comparison to men. "Men always receive support, such as those candidates who received checks from outside Kuwait. Meanwhile, nobody is supporting the female candidates. Why doesn't the government support women? There are many creative Kuwaiti women who were not supported. If any woman is elected in this election, it will be thanks to her tribe that supports her. But the tribe doesn't give me a house or salary. We are proud to be loyal to the tribe, but our main loyalty must be to Kuwait," she added.
Although there is democracy in the West, women still have not reached equal status with men. "In European countries, the number of female politicians in parliaments is much less than men, although the women there have reached senior positions such as the post of prime minister. In Kuwait, women also occupy many key positions, and I expect that they will reach the parliament in this election," said Farhan Al-Farhan.
The speech of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was very emotional and impressed many people. "I was impressed by the Amir's speech so I decided to run in this election. I think we need new people to enter the parliament. I didn't prepare a plan and I don't have political ambitions, but I believe I can help in making a positive change. There are many MPs who caused strain, problems and corruption in parliament, and this is wrong and has to be changed," said Manal Al-Ahmad, candidate from the secon
d district.
Manal has an opinion in regard to solving some of the political problems. "We should start with the family, and the woman is at the center of it. Women should take their rights; in this way, she will be able to help successfully raise coming generations. The second step is to choose qualified teachers for our children, especially in the first grades of education. The bedoon issue is a time bomb that should be solved. They don't have any other country besides Kuwait, and they don't have the Kuwaiti national
ity. They should at least be given basic human rights. Finally, the problem of citizens with two nationalities is a catastrophe and should be solved," she added.
Voters must make the right decision by voting for the better candidate. "To have a good parliament, our choice must not be based on sectarian or tribal aspects. Each voter has the right to vote for four different people. So, if the husband or father of any woman told her to vote for a certain person related to her, she can give him one vote and she still has three votes that can be used according to her beliefs," said Abdullah Al-Hajiri, candidate in the third district.
People complain about the parliament's performance, but they were the ones who voted for them. "We can blame ourselves for the problems happening now. About 56 percent of the voters are women, and not a single one of them succeeded in winning. Fifty MPs are men who succeeded in winning although men make up only 44 percent of voters. There are certain traditions followed in Kuwaiti society that makes the woman a follower of the man, but she doesn't have to be without an opinion at all. It is not true if the
y say that she was pulled to vote for a certain candidate because she has free will in front of the ballot box, where nobody sees her except God. There she can make the right choice," said political activist Dr Ayid Al-Mana.
By Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: Lawyer and former candidate Najla Al-Naki held an electoral symposium with candidates and intellectuals at her office in Salmiya on Monday evening. The symposium was related to the coming elections and the discussions focused mainly on women's rights. The speakers also focused on some of the mistakes made by the previous parliament.
According to some of the speakers, approving women's political rights did not come at the right time. Women gained their political rights in the summer of 2005 and they had less than two months to prepare for elections, which, according to writer Ghaneema Al-Fahad was "mission impossible." "If we want to paint a room, it needs more than a month to dry. The elections are always held in summer," Al-Fahad said.
Kuwaiti women are oppressed in comparison to men. "Men always receive support, such as those candidates who received checks from outside Kuwait. Meanwhile, nobody is supporting the female candidates. Why doesn't the government support women? There are many creative Kuwaiti women who were not supported. If any woman is elected in this election, it will be thanks to her tribe that supports her. But the tribe doesn't give me a house or salary. We are proud to be loyal to the tribe, but our main loyalty must be to Kuwait," she added.
Although there is democracy in the West, women still have not reached equal status with men. "In European countries, the number of female politicians in parliaments is much less than men, although the women there have reached senior positions such as the post of prime minister. In Kuwait, women also occupy many key positions, and I expect that they will reach the parliament in this election," said Farhan Al-Farhan.
The speech of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah was very emotional and impressed many people. "I was impressed by the Amir's speech so I decided to run in this election. I think we need new people to enter the parliament. I didn't prepare a plan and I don't have political ambitions, but I believe I can help in making a positive change. There are many MPs who caused strain, problems and corruption in parliament, and this is wrong and has to be changed," said Manal Al-Ahmad, candidate from the secon
d district.
Manal has an opinion in regard to solving some of the political problems. "We should start with the family, and the woman is at the center of it. Women should take their rights; in this way, she will be able to help successfully raise coming generations. The second step is to choose qualified teachers for our children, especially in the first grades of education. The bedoon issue is a time bomb that should be solved. They don't have any other country besides Kuwait, and they don't have the Kuwaiti national
ity. They should at least be given basic human rights. Finally, the problem of citizens with two nationalities is a catastrophe and should be solved," she added.
Voters must make the right decision by voting for the better candidate. "To have a good parliament, our choice must not be based on sectarian or tribal aspects. Each voter has the right to vote for four different people. So, if the husband or father of any woman told her to vote for a certain person related to her, she can give him one vote and she still has three votes that can be used according to her beliefs," said Abdullah Al-Hajiri, candidate in the third district.
People complain about the parliament's performance, but they were the ones who voted for them. "We can blame ourselves for the problems happening now. About 56 percent of the voters are women, and not a single one of them succeeded in winning. Fifty MPs are men who succeeded in winning although men make up only 44 percent of voters. There are certain traditions followed in Kuwaiti society that makes the woman a follower of the man, but she doesn't have to be without an opinion at all. It is not true if the
y say that she was pulled to vote for a certain candidate because she has free will in front of the ballot box, where nobody sees her except God. There she can make the right choice," said political activist Dr Ayid Al-Mana.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Kuwait: Women see hope in upcoming elections
Kuwait Times
Published Date: May 10, 2009
By Hussain Al-Qatari, Staff Writer
KUWAIT: As May 16 draws near, hopes seems to be presiding the views of female voters. Even after the issuance of the recent fatwa forbidding voting for women, the supporters of the female a great majority still sees that change is only possible if women reach the Parliament. Kuwait Times conducted a survey to find out about the various views and reasons behind women's support in female candidates.
The young generation of Kuwaiti women believe that for women to win the elections is a statement that needs to be made. Fay Al-Najjar believes it is a leap towards change and acceptance of development. "Before we think of solutions, we have to locate the roots of the problems that we have. Radical solutions for problems are much needed in our country. We treat the crises we are undergoing, which I can best describe as a gushing wound, with a sorry Band-Aid," she said.
Fay explained what she described as a 'gushing wound,' saying, "There is tension between sects, between tribals and non-tribals and between conservative extremists and liberal extremists. This is not something to readily accept. We need to fix this and promote tolerance, and Kuwait cannot do that if it keeps its women stuck where they are." Aisha Al-Suwaidan thinks the female presence will add more sophistication to previous MPs dialogue. "This will make male representatives rethink their strategies and th
e way they debate," she said, adding jokingly that the presence of women will in any case make things better.
Batool Al-Baloushi, 33-year old, echoed Aisha's sentiment. She said she is going to vote for a woman because she strongly believes that Kuwait desperately needs to have women in its Parliament. This conviction stems from her seeing how dialogue has deteriorated immensely in the National Assembly throughout the previous decade. She mused, "Generally speaking, men don't act all crazy in the presence of women, or when dealing with women. So I believe we will be able to listen to more articulate dialogue rathe
r than screaming and fighting in parliamentary sessions when women make it (in).
Sarah Al-Qallaf believes that more than one woman will make it in this year's elections. She said if she could, she would have an all-women parliament. "Men have proved to us over the years that they are hard- headed and not accepting of other views. This is not something that I have made up; watch their debates in parliament and see with your own eyes," she said.
Sarah, 31, says that the demands of her generation are generally career- related. She said that throughout her eight years of work, she saw male colleagues who have come after her get promotions and increments, while she makes less than them and works harder. "When people see that women are capable of making decisions and representing others in the parliament, I hope that their view of us will change and they will treat us as equals at work," she said. She says that she has seen women be more active and in
volved this year than the previous years.
Even her mother, a woman in her seventies, has been attending different candidates' seminars and debating about the country's politics. Salma Al-Enezi, 56-year- old retired teacher says that she is certain of women's presence in the next parliament, but she is worried that many of the female candidates, especially the ones she called 'educated' would waste time competing with men. She said that she wishes those female candidates will prove to be deserving of the voters' trust. Female future MPs should not
waste their time competing with men, but rather focus on what Kuwaiti women want and need. She said, "Some educated candidates I met in person speak my language, but there are other ones who only blabber with big terms and jargon about economy and financial stimulus plans.
Published Date: May 10, 2009
By Hussain Al-Qatari, Staff Writer
KUWAIT: As May 16 draws near, hopes seems to be presiding the views of female voters. Even after the issuance of the recent fatwa forbidding voting for women, the supporters of the female a great majority still sees that change is only possible if women reach the Parliament. Kuwait Times conducted a survey to find out about the various views and reasons behind women's support in female candidates.
The young generation of Kuwaiti women believe that for women to win the elections is a statement that needs to be made. Fay Al-Najjar believes it is a leap towards change and acceptance of development. "Before we think of solutions, we have to locate the roots of the problems that we have. Radical solutions for problems are much needed in our country. We treat the crises we are undergoing, which I can best describe as a gushing wound, with a sorry Band-Aid," she said.
Fay explained what she described as a 'gushing wound,' saying, "There is tension between sects, between tribals and non-tribals and between conservative extremists and liberal extremists. This is not something to readily accept. We need to fix this and promote tolerance, and Kuwait cannot do that if it keeps its women stuck where they are." Aisha Al-Suwaidan thinks the female presence will add more sophistication to previous MPs dialogue. "This will make male representatives rethink their strategies and th
e way they debate," she said, adding jokingly that the presence of women will in any case make things better.
Batool Al-Baloushi, 33-year old, echoed Aisha's sentiment. She said she is going to vote for a woman because she strongly believes that Kuwait desperately needs to have women in its Parliament. This conviction stems from her seeing how dialogue has deteriorated immensely in the National Assembly throughout the previous decade. She mused, "Generally speaking, men don't act all crazy in the presence of women, or when dealing with women. So I believe we will be able to listen to more articulate dialogue rathe
r than screaming and fighting in parliamentary sessions when women make it (in).
Sarah Al-Qallaf believes that more than one woman will make it in this year's elections. She said if she could, she would have an all-women parliament. "Men have proved to us over the years that they are hard- headed and not accepting of other views. This is not something that I have made up; watch their debates in parliament and see with your own eyes," she said.
Sarah, 31, says that the demands of her generation are generally career- related. She said that throughout her eight years of work, she saw male colleagues who have come after her get promotions and increments, while she makes less than them and works harder. "When people see that women are capable of making decisions and representing others in the parliament, I hope that their view of us will change and they will treat us as equals at work," she said. She says that she has seen women be more active and in
volved this year than the previous years.
Even her mother, a woman in her seventies, has been attending different candidates' seminars and debating about the country's politics. Salma Al-Enezi, 56-year- old retired teacher says that she is certain of women's presence in the next parliament, but she is worried that many of the female candidates, especially the ones she called 'educated' would waste time competing with men. She said that she wishes those female candidates will prove to be deserving of the voters' trust. Female future MPs should not
waste their time competing with men, but rather focus on what Kuwaiti women want and need. She said, "Some educated candidates I met in person speak my language, but there are other ones who only blabber with big terms and jargon about economy and financial stimulus plans.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Kuwait: Controversy over voting for women gets heated
The National
James Calderwood, Foreign Correspondent
Last Updated: May 07. 2009 10:59PM UAE / May 7. 2009 6:59PM GMT KUWAIT CITY // Waleed al Tabtabai, who served in Kuwait’s last parliament, stoked controversy this week when he agreed with a member of the Salafi Movement in saying it would be a sin to vote for women in the elections on May 16.
Mr al Tabtabai, who said he is an independent Salafi, was speaking on the sidelines of an election rally on Tuesday.
Fuhaid al Hailam of the Salafi Movement (SM) had started the row on Monday when he said it would be a sin to vote for one of the country’s 19 female candidates, Al Arabiya reported. Salafism is an austere branch of Islam that rejects innovation and believes in a strict, literal reading of the Quran.
“In Islam, the heads of the state should only be men, and we think the parliament is part of the head of the state,” Mr al Tabtabai said. “Other things are OK for women but not to be a part of the parliament.
“It’s an old fatwa,” he said referring to Mr al Hailam’s remarks. “Some of the public are not aware of it, but it was issued 20 or 30 years ago by the ministry of awqaf [Islamic Affairs].
Mr al Tabtabai is likely to regain his seat – polls suggest he will finish in the top 10 in his constituency, earning him a place in the 50-member parliament.
The women who are trying to reach parliament for the first time lambasted the statements.
Naeema al Hai, a Third Constituency candidate, said yesterday: “Those guys say it’s OK for them to take the vote of a woman, but not OK for women to vote for each other. That’s very wrong. That’s not the freedom and democracy that the Quran gave us.”
Ms al Hai said some men are frightened of the idea of sharing power with a woman in parliament.
Kuwait’s mainstream Salafi party, the Islamic Salafi Alliance (ISA), was the largest political group in the last parliament with four seats. Kuwait’s MPs are mostly independent or belong to small political groups. This year they are fielding five candidates. The SM has no presence in the forthcoming election.
The emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, dissolved the last assembly and called for new elections in May when some MPs tried to question the prime minister, Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who is a royal.
Mr al Tabtabai was involved in the previous political crisis in November as it was his request to question the prime minister that led to the resignation of the cabinet.
Two of the ISA’s candidates, Khalid Sultan bin Essa and Abdullatif al Ameeri, did address an exclusively female audience at a rally on Tuesday. The women passed questions to the former MPs on cards, but did not ask about the fatwa.
Instead, they focused Mr bin Essa’s involvement with supermarkets that sold pork and alcohol overseas. Mr bin Essa said he did not establish the companies, he bought into them, and they have now withdrawn the products.
Mr al Ameeri distanced his party from Mr al Hailam of the SM but did not take sides on the fatwa. “The Salafi Movement is different from us,” Mr al Ameeri said.
“For example, the alliance considers bin Laden as a criminal. They consider him a hero.
“We don’t know what the origin of the fatwa is,” he said. “This is not right. We have to find the correct origin in the Quran and Sunnah.”
Mr bin Essa clarified his party’s position in an interview yesterday. He said voting for women was not a sin. “We separated ourselves from the fatwa. We issued a statement that undermines theirs.”
But some of the women at the rally agreed with the fatwa. Waheeda Abdulwahab, a sister of Mr al Ameeri, said she supportsedit because nobody in her religion would issue a fatwa that was untrue, as doing so would be a serious sin.
Another woman at the event, Sheikha al Fahad, who is involved in running the ISA’s campaign, said: “I don’t agree with the fatwa 100 per cent, maybe 30 per cent. I know what they mean when they say it’s a sin. It’s too soon for Kuwaiti women to enter the parliament – maybe in a few years.”
At another campaign rally this week, a former MP and candidate for the ISA, Ali al Omair, said his religion did not permit women to serve in the assembly but “if a lady is either elected or nominated by the government, we have to deal with her.
“We can’t isolate ourselves because there is a woman in the parliament”.
This will be the third attempt by women to reach the National Assembly since they received full political rights in 2005. The polls predict three women will win seats in the next parliament.
James Calderwood, Foreign Correspondent
Last Updated: May 07. 2009 10:59PM UAE / May 7. 2009 6:59PM GMT KUWAIT CITY // Waleed al Tabtabai, who served in Kuwait’s last parliament, stoked controversy this week when he agreed with a member of the Salafi Movement in saying it would be a sin to vote for women in the elections on May 16.
Mr al Tabtabai, who said he is an independent Salafi, was speaking on the sidelines of an election rally on Tuesday.
Fuhaid al Hailam of the Salafi Movement (SM) had started the row on Monday when he said it would be a sin to vote for one of the country’s 19 female candidates, Al Arabiya reported. Salafism is an austere branch of Islam that rejects innovation and believes in a strict, literal reading of the Quran.
“In Islam, the heads of the state should only be men, and we think the parliament is part of the head of the state,” Mr al Tabtabai said. “Other things are OK for women but not to be a part of the parliament.
“It’s an old fatwa,” he said referring to Mr al Hailam’s remarks. “Some of the public are not aware of it, but it was issued 20 or 30 years ago by the ministry of awqaf [Islamic Affairs].
Mr al Tabtabai is likely to regain his seat – polls suggest he will finish in the top 10 in his constituency, earning him a place in the 50-member parliament.
The women who are trying to reach parliament for the first time lambasted the statements.
Naeema al Hai, a Third Constituency candidate, said yesterday: “Those guys say it’s OK for them to take the vote of a woman, but not OK for women to vote for each other. That’s very wrong. That’s not the freedom and democracy that the Quran gave us.”
Ms al Hai said some men are frightened of the idea of sharing power with a woman in parliament.
Kuwait’s mainstream Salafi party, the Islamic Salafi Alliance (ISA), was the largest political group in the last parliament with four seats. Kuwait’s MPs are mostly independent or belong to small political groups. This year they are fielding five candidates. The SM has no presence in the forthcoming election.
The emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, dissolved the last assembly and called for new elections in May when some MPs tried to question the prime minister, Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who is a royal.
Mr al Tabtabai was involved in the previous political crisis in November as it was his request to question the prime minister that led to the resignation of the cabinet.
Two of the ISA’s candidates, Khalid Sultan bin Essa and Abdullatif al Ameeri, did address an exclusively female audience at a rally on Tuesday. The women passed questions to the former MPs on cards, but did not ask about the fatwa.
Instead, they focused Mr bin Essa’s involvement with supermarkets that sold pork and alcohol overseas. Mr bin Essa said he did not establish the companies, he bought into them, and they have now withdrawn the products.
Mr al Ameeri distanced his party from Mr al Hailam of the SM but did not take sides on the fatwa. “The Salafi Movement is different from us,” Mr al Ameeri said.
“For example, the alliance considers bin Laden as a criminal. They consider him a hero.
“We don’t know what the origin of the fatwa is,” he said. “This is not right. We have to find the correct origin in the Quran and Sunnah.”
Mr bin Essa clarified his party’s position in an interview yesterday. He said voting for women was not a sin. “We separated ourselves from the fatwa. We issued a statement that undermines theirs.”
But some of the women at the rally agreed with the fatwa. Waheeda Abdulwahab, a sister of Mr al Ameeri, said she supportsedit because nobody in her religion would issue a fatwa that was untrue, as doing so would be a serious sin.
Another woman at the event, Sheikha al Fahad, who is involved in running the ISA’s campaign, said: “I don’t agree with the fatwa 100 per cent, maybe 30 per cent. I know what they mean when they say it’s a sin. It’s too soon for Kuwaiti women to enter the parliament – maybe in a few years.”
At another campaign rally this week, a former MP and candidate for the ISA, Ali al Omair, said his religion did not permit women to serve in the assembly but “if a lady is either elected or nominated by the government, we have to deal with her.
“We can’t isolate ourselves because there is a woman in the parliament”.
This will be the third attempt by women to reach the National Assembly since they received full political rights in 2005. The polls predict three women will win seats in the next parliament.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Kuwait: Kuwaiti women aim for third time lucky in Assembly polls
Arab Times
KUWAIT CITY, May 6, (AFP): Women in Kuwait aim to make it third time lucky as they contest seats in parliament after two failed attempts in legislative elections. US-educated candidate Maasouma Al-Mubarak already made history by becoming the first female minister in Kuwait in 2005, right after women were granted full political rights following a 40-year struggle. “I am very optimistic that a Kuwaiti woman will reach parliament this time. I was the first female minister and I am looking to become the first female member of parliament,” she said after registering her candidacy. Early polls have been called for May 16, after parliament was dissolved for the third time in as many years. “This time we are contesting for a third time more determined, more optimistic and more aware ... I believe the path is ready,” for women to enter parliament, Mubarak added. “Third time lucky,” the US-educated candidate told AFP.
Women voters make up 54 percent of the 385,000 eligible voters in Kuwait, but they overwhelmingly voted for male candidates in the previous elections since 2005.
Activist Badriya Al-Awadhi found in a study published this week that only three percent of women voters cast their votes for women candidates in the 2008 polls.
In the 2006 and 2008 elections, a total of 54 women candidates stood in the polls but without success although a number of them made a strong showing.
A liberal candidate, Aseel Al-Awadhi, who is running again in this month’s election, came in 11th place last year, just behind the first 10 in her constituency who won seats. Nineteen women are standing in this year’s election, of whom all but two have contested previous elections.
Analysts attribute women’s failure in the previous two elections to several reasons, such as the conservative nature of Kuwait society, absence of support from political groups, and lack of experience.
The head of the Women’s Development Institute, Kawthar Al-Juaan, believes the chances of women on May 16 have improved after they gained experience in the previous two polls.
Chances
“I believe the chances of Kuwaiti women candidates this time are very strong ... Kuwaiti voters are more favourable to women than before,” Juaan told AFP.
She said the constant political crises in the the country and infighting within men-controlled political groups would make it easier for women to win seats.
The date of the elections falls on the fourth anniversary of a parliamentary vote on May 16, 2005 that gave women full political rights.
Candidate Thekra Al-Rasheedi, who last year suprisingly secured 2,200 votes in a tribal constituency where voters do not favour women, said this year the outlook is much better.
“Last year, I struggled to visit diwaniyas (traditionally all-male gathering places) simply because I am a woman. This year, I have been invited by so many diwaniyas that I don’t have the time to visit them all,” lawyer Rasheedi said.
A local hardline Islamic group, however, has issued a fatwa, or a religious edict, saying that voting for women candidates was prohibited under Islam.
The Salafi Movement argued that by becoming members of parliament, women would occupy a public office, something “which, under Islamic rules, is prohibited for women.”
Several female candidates, many of whom are highly educated and work in top professions, slammed the fatwa as “politically-motivated.”
Kuwaiti women account for 44.5 percent of the national workforce of about 336,000 — the highest proportion in any Arab state in the Gulf region — but only a few hold top posts in government.
The 16-member cabinet has two women ministers.
KUWAIT CITY, May 6, (AFP): Women in Kuwait aim to make it third time lucky as they contest seats in parliament after two failed attempts in legislative elections. US-educated candidate Maasouma Al-Mubarak already made history by becoming the first female minister in Kuwait in 2005, right after women were granted full political rights following a 40-year struggle. “I am very optimistic that a Kuwaiti woman will reach parliament this time. I was the first female minister and I am looking to become the first female member of parliament,” she said after registering her candidacy. Early polls have been called for May 16, after parliament was dissolved for the third time in as many years. “This time we are contesting for a third time more determined, more optimistic and more aware ... I believe the path is ready,” for women to enter parliament, Mubarak added. “Third time lucky,” the US-educated candidate told AFP.
Women voters make up 54 percent of the 385,000 eligible voters in Kuwait, but they overwhelmingly voted for male candidates in the previous elections since 2005.
Activist Badriya Al-Awadhi found in a study published this week that only three percent of women voters cast their votes for women candidates in the 2008 polls.
In the 2006 and 2008 elections, a total of 54 women candidates stood in the polls but without success although a number of them made a strong showing.
A liberal candidate, Aseel Al-Awadhi, who is running again in this month’s election, came in 11th place last year, just behind the first 10 in her constituency who won seats. Nineteen women are standing in this year’s election, of whom all but two have contested previous elections.
Analysts attribute women’s failure in the previous two elections to several reasons, such as the conservative nature of Kuwait society, absence of support from political groups, and lack of experience.
The head of the Women’s Development Institute, Kawthar Al-Juaan, believes the chances of women on May 16 have improved after they gained experience in the previous two polls.
Chances
“I believe the chances of Kuwaiti women candidates this time are very strong ... Kuwaiti voters are more favourable to women than before,” Juaan told AFP.
She said the constant political crises in the the country and infighting within men-controlled political groups would make it easier for women to win seats.
The date of the elections falls on the fourth anniversary of a parliamentary vote on May 16, 2005 that gave women full political rights.
Candidate Thekra Al-Rasheedi, who last year suprisingly secured 2,200 votes in a tribal constituency where voters do not favour women, said this year the outlook is much better.
“Last year, I struggled to visit diwaniyas (traditionally all-male gathering places) simply because I am a woman. This year, I have been invited by so many diwaniyas that I don’t have the time to visit them all,” lawyer Rasheedi said.
A local hardline Islamic group, however, has issued a fatwa, or a religious edict, saying that voting for women candidates was prohibited under Islam.
The Salafi Movement argued that by becoming members of parliament, women would occupy a public office, something “which, under Islamic rules, is prohibited for women.”
Several female candidates, many of whom are highly educated and work in top professions, slammed the fatwa as “politically-motivated.”
Kuwaiti women account for 44.5 percent of the national workforce of about 336,000 — the highest proportion in any Arab state in the Gulf region — but only a few hold top posts in government.
The 16-member cabinet has two women ministers.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Kuwait: Candidates react to Salafist 'fatwa'
Kuwait Times
KUWAIT: Reacting to the fatwa issued by Islamic Salafists Movement asking voters to abstain from voting for female candidates, Dr Fatima Al-Abdaly, a first constituency candidate described it is a 'dangerous indicator.' "This is a clear violation of the Constitution and electoral law," she asserted, adding that it reflects the fact that women now stand at the Parliament's threshold. This knowledge has prompted these individuals to take steps to discourage their foray into politics." She said that other Muslim countries do view women's electoral franchise as a problem, "The statement takes us back to the era before women gained their political rights." She questioned why the fatwa was not declared during the 2006 and 2008 elections.
She said that they (Salafists) are trying to target women during the elections, since many voters had planned to vote for women. But this(edict ) may hurt women's interests since voting for them is being condemned as a sin. Third constituency candidate Ayesha Al-Rushaid said that since the Salafists movement has exposed its real nature to the Kuwaiti people, they are now playing the religious card. Islam does not forbid political participation which is evidenced by the 'Baiah' system in Islam where men and women are considered equal.
Another third constituency candidate Naeema Al-Hai said that such fatwas now aim at preventing women from reaching the Parliament and reduce their chances. This indicates how weak those political factions are at the possibility of women wining seats in the Parliament. She said that women's participation in Parliament does not mean 'general jurisdiction,' rather it is participation decision-making and there are examples of women holding leadership positions in Muslim countries. Meanwhile a official said that the government will not comment on inflammatory statements. He said that the appearance of such issues now aim at gaining certain groups' votes. Kuwait's Constitution has guaranteed equality to both man and woman.
Dr Faris Al Wuqayan, a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies criticized the Salafists Movement's statement, adding that it does not relate to the 'civil state' and democracy at all, and questioned, "Is it okay to benefit from the woman's vote as a voter without granting her our vote as a candidate"? He said such statements take us back to the Middle Ages of Europe because it is not related to the modern era at all, in fact 'the brains that came up with it need treatment.' When asked about the possibility of the so-called edict gaining support among masses, Al-Wquayan said that the voting standards are not determined by religious practices. This is because clergy men's illegal practices and participation in the country's administration, economy, financial companies' administration are well known.
This gives out the idea that ideological religious affiliations are not related to ethical practices, even it stems from a liberal or tribal person. Columnist and political analyst Sami Al-Nisf found it strange for a few to convene and call themselves a movement and then start issuing statements. He said that the Salafists movement that is represented in Kuwait, is the revival of society and that they did not hear such statements from them. Al-Nisf said that Islam is not limited to Kuwait, but it is practiced in 56 countries around the world. He added that many gave women the right to run for office and vote and women are allowed to hold the office of prime minister there.
KUWAIT: Reacting to the fatwa issued by Islamic Salafists Movement asking voters to abstain from voting for female candidates, Dr Fatima Al-Abdaly, a first constituency candidate described it is a 'dangerous indicator.' "This is a clear violation of the Constitution and electoral law," she asserted, adding that it reflects the fact that women now stand at the Parliament's threshold. This knowledge has prompted these individuals to take steps to discourage their foray into politics." She said that other Muslim countries do view women's electoral franchise as a problem, "The statement takes us back to the era before women gained their political rights." She questioned why the fatwa was not declared during the 2006 and 2008 elections.
She said that they (Salafists) are trying to target women during the elections, since many voters had planned to vote for women. But this(edict ) may hurt women's interests since voting for them is being condemned as a sin. Third constituency candidate Ayesha Al-Rushaid said that since the Salafists movement has exposed its real nature to the Kuwaiti people, they are now playing the religious card. Islam does not forbid political participation which is evidenced by the 'Baiah' system in Islam where men and women are considered equal.
Another third constituency candidate Naeema Al-Hai said that such fatwas now aim at preventing women from reaching the Parliament and reduce their chances. This indicates how weak those political factions are at the possibility of women wining seats in the Parliament. She said that women's participation in Parliament does not mean 'general jurisdiction,' rather it is participation decision-making and there are examples of women holding leadership positions in Muslim countries. Meanwhile a official said that the government will not comment on inflammatory statements. He said that the appearance of such issues now aim at gaining certain groups' votes. Kuwait's Constitution has guaranteed equality to both man and woman.
Dr Faris Al Wuqayan, a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies criticized the Salafists Movement's statement, adding that it does not relate to the 'civil state' and democracy at all, and questioned, "Is it okay to benefit from the woman's vote as a voter without granting her our vote as a candidate"? He said such statements take us back to the Middle Ages of Europe because it is not related to the modern era at all, in fact 'the brains that came up with it need treatment.' When asked about the possibility of the so-called edict gaining support among masses, Al-Wquayan said that the voting standards are not determined by religious practices. This is because clergy men's illegal practices and participation in the country's administration, economy, financial companies' administration are well known.
This gives out the idea that ideological religious affiliations are not related to ethical practices, even it stems from a liberal or tribal person. Columnist and political analyst Sami Al-Nisf found it strange for a few to convene and call themselves a movement and then start issuing statements. He said that the Salafists movement that is represented in Kuwait, is the revival of society and that they did not hear such statements from them. Al-Nisf said that Islam is not limited to Kuwait, but it is practiced in 56 countries around the world. He added that many gave women the right to run for office and vote and women are allowed to hold the office of prime minister there.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Kuwait: Kuwait's Salafis call voting for women a sin
Al Arabiya
KUWAIT (Ahmed Abdullah)
Kuwait's Islamist Salafi movement called Monday for a boycott of women candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections on the grounds that public offices are reserved only for men, sparking outrage from female candidates and activists.
Voting for women is considered a sin, said Fuhaid al-Hailam, of the Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo, according to the Salafi's interpretation of a saying by the Prophet Muhammad to the effect that a nation will not prosper if a woman leads it.
Election sin
" What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means "
Fuhaid al-Hailam, Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo"What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means," he told Al Arabiya. "Voting for women is the means of their access to parliamentary membership, thus it is prohibited."
Although Kuwaiti law permits women to hold seat in parliament, Hailam called on female candidates to withdraw from the elections to protect themselves and the voters from a practice he labeled as contrary to Islam.
Nineteen of the 282 registered candidates are women, down from the 28 who registered last year and 31 in 2006, according to the Kuwait Times. The Majlis al-Umma, Kuwait’s National Assembly, was dissolved in March in the aftermath of tension between the executive and legislative authorities.
He denied the fatwa, or religious ruling, is politically motivated to undermine women's chances to win seats in the parliament.
"This has always been the movement's stance and we have always objected to giving women the right to run in elections. We are reiterating our opinion now because it is the right time to declare how legitimate voting is,” he said, adding that the movement recommended that the law not be applied.
Strident objections
" Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws "
Fatima al-Abdeli, candidateCritics slammed the conservative Salafi movement’s statements and urged the government to distance itself from such a position.
Parliamentary candidate Fatima al-Abdeli, a woman’s rights activist who ran in the two previous elections, dismissed the call to withdraw and said the statements betrayed a state of intellectual bankruptcy.
"They have nothing to say," she told Al Arabiya. "Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws."
Woman’s rights activist Fatima al-Abdeli ran in the two previous elections
Abdeli called upon the Kuwaiti government to declare the movement's statements void and said that female candidates intend to organize a press conference to respond to the fatwa.
"This fatwa will harm women candidates and the Kuwaiti people might be deceived by it. We are not going to stand still while this happens. Women should not be told what to do," said Abdeli.
Observers give women better odds of winning seats in this year’s elections despite failing to win any in the 2006 or 2008 elections, citing more extensive political experience women gained during this time and greater acceptance of women's role in public life.
Former Planning Minister Massouma al-Mubarak, the first female cabinet member, was appointed in 2005 and is running in the 2009 elections, a move that observers said shows that women are gaining momentum. Women were granted the right to vote in 2005.
The election war flared when several candidates were arrested and charged with slandering the government. Some parties like the Ummah party, which is not officially recognized, said it would boycott the elections.
KUWAIT (Ahmed Abdullah)
Kuwait's Islamist Salafi movement called Monday for a boycott of women candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections on the grounds that public offices are reserved only for men, sparking outrage from female candidates and activists.
Voting for women is considered a sin, said Fuhaid al-Hailam, of the Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo, according to the Salafi's interpretation of a saying by the Prophet Muhammad to the effect that a nation will not prosper if a woman leads it.
Election sin
" What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means "
Fuhaid al-Hailam, Islamic Salafi Alliance politburo"What is prohibited as an aim is also prohibited as a means," he told Al Arabiya. "Voting for women is the means of their access to parliamentary membership, thus it is prohibited."
Although Kuwaiti law permits women to hold seat in parliament, Hailam called on female candidates to withdraw from the elections to protect themselves and the voters from a practice he labeled as contrary to Islam.
Nineteen of the 282 registered candidates are women, down from the 28 who registered last year and 31 in 2006, according to the Kuwait Times. The Majlis al-Umma, Kuwait’s National Assembly, was dissolved in March in the aftermath of tension between the executive and legislative authorities.
He denied the fatwa, or religious ruling, is politically motivated to undermine women's chances to win seats in the parliament.
"This has always been the movement's stance and we have always objected to giving women the right to run in elections. We are reiterating our opinion now because it is the right time to declare how legitimate voting is,” he said, adding that the movement recommended that the law not be applied.
Strident objections
" Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws "
Fatima al-Abdeli, candidateCritics slammed the conservative Salafi movement’s statements and urged the government to distance itself from such a position.
Parliamentary candidate Fatima al-Abdeli, a woman’s rights activist who ran in the two previous elections, dismissed the call to withdraw and said the statements betrayed a state of intellectual bankruptcy.
"They have nothing to say," she told Al Arabiya. "Kuwaiti laws that gave women the right to run for parliament are not against Islamic laws."
Woman’s rights activist Fatima al-Abdeli ran in the two previous elections
Abdeli called upon the Kuwaiti government to declare the movement's statements void and said that female candidates intend to organize a press conference to respond to the fatwa.
"This fatwa will harm women candidates and the Kuwaiti people might be deceived by it. We are not going to stand still while this happens. Women should not be told what to do," said Abdeli.
Observers give women better odds of winning seats in this year’s elections despite failing to win any in the 2006 or 2008 elections, citing more extensive political experience women gained during this time and greater acceptance of women's role in public life.
Former Planning Minister Massouma al-Mubarak, the first female cabinet member, was appointed in 2005 and is running in the 2009 elections, a move that observers said shows that women are gaining momentum. Women were granted the right to vote in 2005.
The election war flared when several candidates were arrested and charged with slandering the government. Some parties like the Ummah party, which is not officially recognized, said it would boycott the elections.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Kuwait: 73 % citizens may head to polling stations: Study
Kuwait Times
KUWAIT: Seventy three percent citizens will head to the ballot boxes to cast their votes on May 16, the findings of a comprehensive study conducted by Ipson International Company revealed. The study also found that 14 percent of citizens will abstain from voting while the remaining 13 percent are undecided about voting. It pointed out that 80 percent of male voters have decided to cast votes while only 66 percentage of females exercise their rights. The average age of most voters is more than 45 years. Farwaniya constituency will receive the largest number of voters when compared to other Kuwaiti governorates, reported Al-Watan. The study added that 80 percent of voters from Farwaniya will vote on May 16. Seventy five percent of voters in Mubarak Al-Kabeer area, 69 percent in Jahra, 71 percent in Hawally, 74 percent in the capital and 67 percent of voters of Ahmadi have decided to cast votes. Sixteen percent of voters from Ahmadi have decided not to vote and 17 percent are still undecided about voting.
KUWAIT: Seventy three percent citizens will head to the ballot boxes to cast their votes on May 16, the findings of a comprehensive study conducted by Ipson International Company revealed. The study also found that 14 percent of citizens will abstain from voting while the remaining 13 percent are undecided about voting. It pointed out that 80 percent of male voters have decided to cast votes while only 66 percentage of females exercise their rights. The average age of most voters is more than 45 years. Farwaniya constituency will receive the largest number of voters when compared to other Kuwaiti governorates, reported Al-Watan. The study added that 80 percent of voters from Farwaniya will vote on May 16. Seventy five percent of voters in Mubarak Al-Kabeer area, 69 percent in Jahra, 71 percent in Hawally, 74 percent in the capital and 67 percent of voters of Ahmadi have decided to cast votes. Sixteen percent of voters from Ahmadi have decided not to vote and 17 percent are still undecided about voting.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Kuwait: Women sure to occupy seats in next parliament, shows survey
Arab Times
KUWAIT, April 27, (KUNA): A Kuwaiti specialist in electronic systems and social polls, Salah Al-Jassem, has carried out a survey of voters with the aim of examining their views in the nominees and women’s chances of winning. Al-Jassem said in remarks to KUNA that had carried out three electronic polls on the voters’ orientations and their comments on the performance of the dissolved parliament. The expert said he conducted the first poll in 1996, where he tried to sense chances of the women to win a seat in the parliament, particularly in the first and third circuits. He opines that the Kuwaiti women have gradually improved their chances of occupying seats in the National Assembly, and expressed his belief that some female candidates will garner enough votes to realize this objective in the upcoming polls.
Al-Jassem, who in the past elections made anticipations as to the would-be winners in the polls, said popularity of some of the nominees jostling for seats in the current run-up campaign has apparently waned. On the mechanisms of his work, he said conducting the poll is not an easy work and indicated at some major obstacles such as having access to some segments of the society namely the elderly. Asked whether the anticipations had proven accurate, he said they had been accurate in the 2003 and 2006 elections, but in the 1999 polling process, they were not in two districts “due to some unexpected factors at the time.” He also hints that the calculations prove inaccurate in vote-buying cases.
Improvement
Meanwhile, fourth constituency candidate Saad Al-Khanfour called for improvement of public services, especially employment. During a seminar titled “Kuwait’s Future is Everybody’s Responsibility”, which took place in Sabah Al-Nasser area last night, Al-Khanfour reiterated the need to double efforts so as to improve healthcare, educational and security services. Al-Khanfour voiced bewilderment over the health ministry for not building new hospitals in al-Jahra and al-Farwaniya governorates in almost 25 years. He also talked about large numbers of Kuwaiti students studying abroad due to small number of universities in Kuwait, proposing that branches of accredited universities should be opened here.
As for employment, Al-Khanfour called for solving such problem, especially for high school graduates and under.
Calling for cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in the upcoming period, Al-Khanfour rooted for the drop of loan interests. The fourth constituency groups 99,882 votes distributed over 19 residential areas. In the meantime, candidate for the Fourth Constituency Mubarak Al-Khrainij called voters to elect the candidate that would serve Kuwait the best, and stressed the importance of countering and refraining from adding to political tension. The remarks were made as Al-Khrainij kicked off his parliamentary campaign Sunday night. Kuwaitis are expecting actions, he said, not empty slogans, stressing the importance of achieving development and fighting corruption in every form.
KUWAIT, April 27, (KUNA): A Kuwaiti specialist in electronic systems and social polls, Salah Al-Jassem, has carried out a survey of voters with the aim of examining their views in the nominees and women’s chances of winning. Al-Jassem said in remarks to KUNA that had carried out three electronic polls on the voters’ orientations and their comments on the performance of the dissolved parliament. The expert said he conducted the first poll in 1996, where he tried to sense chances of the women to win a seat in the parliament, particularly in the first and third circuits. He opines that the Kuwaiti women have gradually improved their chances of occupying seats in the National Assembly, and expressed his belief that some female candidates will garner enough votes to realize this objective in the upcoming polls.
Al-Jassem, who in the past elections made anticipations as to the would-be winners in the polls, said popularity of some of the nominees jostling for seats in the current run-up campaign has apparently waned. On the mechanisms of his work, he said conducting the poll is not an easy work and indicated at some major obstacles such as having access to some segments of the society namely the elderly. Asked whether the anticipations had proven accurate, he said they had been accurate in the 2003 and 2006 elections, but in the 1999 polling process, they were not in two districts “due to some unexpected factors at the time.” He also hints that the calculations prove inaccurate in vote-buying cases.
Improvement
Meanwhile, fourth constituency candidate Saad Al-Khanfour called for improvement of public services, especially employment. During a seminar titled “Kuwait’s Future is Everybody’s Responsibility”, which took place in Sabah Al-Nasser area last night, Al-Khanfour reiterated the need to double efforts so as to improve healthcare, educational and security services. Al-Khanfour voiced bewilderment over the health ministry for not building new hospitals in al-Jahra and al-Farwaniya governorates in almost 25 years. He also talked about large numbers of Kuwaiti students studying abroad due to small number of universities in Kuwait, proposing that branches of accredited universities should be opened here.
As for employment, Al-Khanfour called for solving such problem, especially for high school graduates and under.
Calling for cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in the upcoming period, Al-Khanfour rooted for the drop of loan interests. The fourth constituency groups 99,882 votes distributed over 19 residential areas. In the meantime, candidate for the Fourth Constituency Mubarak Al-Khrainij called voters to elect the candidate that would serve Kuwait the best, and stressed the importance of countering and refraining from adding to political tension. The remarks were made as Al-Khrainij kicked off his parliamentary campaign Sunday night. Kuwaitis are expecting actions, he said, not empty slogans, stressing the importance of achieving development and fighting corruption in every form.
Kuwait: Female voters can change election results: Candidate
Kuwait Times
Published Date: April 28, 2009
KUWAIT: The first electoral district candidate, Abdullah Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Traiji said that Kuwaiti women have proven to be effective members of Kuwait's society. "This is not something new that has occurred after women were granted political rights and were allowed to run for parliament," Al-Traiji said. It is due to the open-minded way these women have been bringing up their children that has contributed toward the formation of Kuwait's public opinion. "The Kuwaiti woman has always been a mother, s
ister, wife and grateful daughter who has worked hard to maintain the integrity of her family," he added.
Al-Traiji emphasized that Kuwaiti women should play a prominent role in serving Kuwait by fully observing Kuwait's religion, traditions, values, ethics and customs. "Along with their male fellow citizens, Kuwaiti women have withstood firmly the violation of Kuwait's sovereignty during Saddam's invasion in 1990," he said.
Al-Traiji further highlighted that the presence of Kuwaiti women in the forthcoming elections, both as voters and candidates would surely have a good and positive impact on the electoral process. "Kuwaiti women are more far-sighted and capable of making better choices these days," he added. "Yet, they still face great challenges and prove their effectiveness by selecting and voting only for the best. The fact that the total number of female voters outnumber the male by at least 25 percent surely indicates
how capable they will be in forming the next parliament by directing the elections process," he said.
Al-Traiji added that he chose his electoral campaign slogan to be 'You Can if You Will, a choice seconded by several visits to various diwaniyas in the first electoral district. There, he said, he detected voters' complete dissatisfaction with the relation between the legislative and executive powers. "I always told voters that lawmakers were the direct result of voters' choices and that if a voter had real willingness to make a change and achieve reform, he or she can surely do that easily," he said.
Speaking about his electoral campaign agenda, Al-Traiji said that it will focus on three basic issues: security, economy and administration. In his words, those three issues would form the basis of solving all problems Kuwaiti citizens have been experiencing. "Leniency in handling various security, economic and administrative issues and laziness in dealing with them constitutionally and scientifically led to an accumulation of dangerous problems and threats to Kuwait's present and future," he said.
The government's policy on these issues has been so helpless and hesitant. In most cases, it could best be described as negligent and indifferent." Such a train of events has paved the way for more popular unconstitutional calls among some MPs which, negatively affects inter-powers relations.
In dwelling on the between-power relations he said, "The controversy raised about women's rights and protecting public funds is the best indicator of how incompetent the legislative and executive branches were in achieving any development for this country." He further added that his agenda aims to address the ways which will help reach well-devised solutions.
Speaking about the government's security deficiency, Al-Traiji accussed that regional security has been unstable for a while and historically, Kuwait had always felt under threat. "Having to share the responsibility of reconstructing Iraq and transforming it into a stable country places more social, economic, political and planning responsibilities on Kuwait," he said. According to him, the bedoons' problem has been one of the most urgent security concerns in Kuwait. "As we see it, the best solution to th
is problem is granting citizenship to those who actually deserve it.
In his words, traffic problems were also part of Kuwait's security concerns that need full coordination with regional and international countries to exchange views and to plan expertise. "I believe one of the solutions to this problem would be to establish a public authority for traffic which will replace the traffic department and will have an independent budget and its own specialized staff," he elaborated.
Health services in Kuwait, Al-Traijin says, gives way only to security. He said that there has been critical shortcomings in health policies set by various governments and that Kuwait's health infrastructure still lacked a lot of change, equipment and staff.
Published Date: April 28, 2009
KUWAIT: The first electoral district candidate, Abdullah Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Traiji said that Kuwaiti women have proven to be effective members of Kuwait's society. "This is not something new that has occurred after women were granted political rights and were allowed to run for parliament," Al-Traiji said. It is due to the open-minded way these women have been bringing up their children that has contributed toward the formation of Kuwait's public opinion. "The Kuwaiti woman has always been a mother, s
ister, wife and grateful daughter who has worked hard to maintain the integrity of her family," he added.
Al-Traiji emphasized that Kuwaiti women should play a prominent role in serving Kuwait by fully observing Kuwait's religion, traditions, values, ethics and customs. "Along with their male fellow citizens, Kuwaiti women have withstood firmly the violation of Kuwait's sovereignty during Saddam's invasion in 1990," he said.
Al-Traiji further highlighted that the presence of Kuwaiti women in the forthcoming elections, both as voters and candidates would surely have a good and positive impact on the electoral process. "Kuwaiti women are more far-sighted and capable of making better choices these days," he added. "Yet, they still face great challenges and prove their effectiveness by selecting and voting only for the best. The fact that the total number of female voters outnumber the male by at least 25 percent surely indicates
how capable they will be in forming the next parliament by directing the elections process," he said.
Al-Traiji added that he chose his electoral campaign slogan to be 'You Can if You Will, a choice seconded by several visits to various diwaniyas in the first electoral district. There, he said, he detected voters' complete dissatisfaction with the relation between the legislative and executive powers. "I always told voters that lawmakers were the direct result of voters' choices and that if a voter had real willingness to make a change and achieve reform, he or she can surely do that easily," he said.
Speaking about his electoral campaign agenda, Al-Traiji said that it will focus on three basic issues: security, economy and administration. In his words, those three issues would form the basis of solving all problems Kuwaiti citizens have been experiencing. "Leniency in handling various security, economic and administrative issues and laziness in dealing with them constitutionally and scientifically led to an accumulation of dangerous problems and threats to Kuwait's present and future," he said.
The government's policy on these issues has been so helpless and hesitant. In most cases, it could best be described as negligent and indifferent." Such a train of events has paved the way for more popular unconstitutional calls among some MPs which, negatively affects inter-powers relations.
In dwelling on the between-power relations he said, "The controversy raised about women's rights and protecting public funds is the best indicator of how incompetent the legislative and executive branches were in achieving any development for this country." He further added that his agenda aims to address the ways which will help reach well-devised solutions.
Speaking about the government's security deficiency, Al-Traiji accussed that regional security has been unstable for a while and historically, Kuwait had always felt under threat. "Having to share the responsibility of reconstructing Iraq and transforming it into a stable country places more social, economic, political and planning responsibilities on Kuwait," he said. According to him, the bedoons' problem has been one of the most urgent security concerns in Kuwait. "As we see it, the best solution to th
is problem is granting citizenship to those who actually deserve it.
In his words, traffic problems were also part of Kuwait's security concerns that need full coordination with regional and international countries to exchange views and to plan expertise. "I believe one of the solutions to this problem would be to establish a public authority for traffic which will replace the traffic department and will have an independent budget and its own specialized staff," he elaborated.
Health services in Kuwait, Al-Traijin says, gives way only to security. He said that there has been critical shortcomings in health policies set by various governments and that Kuwait's health infrastructure still lacked a lot of change, equipment and staff.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia mulls allowing women to vote
Reuters
RIYADH, April 26 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is considering allowing women to vote in municipal elections this year but they would still be barred from running for office, a senior government official was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter and a key ally of the United States. The absolute monarchy applies an austere form of Sunni Islam which bans unrelated men and women from mixing.
Prince Mansour bin Muteb, deputy minister for municipal and rural affairs, made the comments after attending a conference of municipal councils in the Eastern Province, Saudi newspapers reported.
The meeting's recommendations included one that women should be eligible to vote, the liberal-leaning daily al-Watan said.
Officials at the municipal and rural affairs ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.
Only eligible males voted in municipal elections in 2005 which were the desert kingdom's first ever nationwide polls since the state's inception in 1932.
The election for half the seats on the councils was part of a series of reforms undertaken after the Sept. 11 attacks of 2001 focused international attention on Saudi Arabia's political and religious culture. Most of the attackers were Saudi, acting in the name of the Islamist group al Qaeda.
The meeting in the Eastern Province, the first indication that the municipal vote will take place this year, recommended that the government continues to name half the members of the council, al-Watan said. (Reporting by Souhail Karam)
RIYADH, April 26 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia is considering allowing women to vote in municipal elections this year but they would still be barred from running for office, a senior government official was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia is the world's biggest oil exporter and a key ally of the United States. The absolute monarchy applies an austere form of Sunni Islam which bans unrelated men and women from mixing.
Prince Mansour bin Muteb, deputy minister for municipal and rural affairs, made the comments after attending a conference of municipal councils in the Eastern Province, Saudi newspapers reported.
The meeting's recommendations included one that women should be eligible to vote, the liberal-leaning daily al-Watan said.
Officials at the municipal and rural affairs ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.
Only eligible males voted in municipal elections in 2005 which were the desert kingdom's first ever nationwide polls since the state's inception in 1932.
The election for half the seats on the councils was part of a series of reforms undertaken after the Sept. 11 attacks of 2001 focused international attention on Saudi Arabia's political and religious culture. Most of the attackers were Saudi, acting in the name of the Islamist group al Qaeda.
The meeting in the Eastern Province, the first indication that the municipal vote will take place this year, recommended that the government continues to name half the members of the council, al-Watan said. (Reporting by Souhail Karam)
Kuwait: Polls could mark major turning point
Gulfnews
By Duraid Al Baik, Associate Editor
Published: April 27, 2009, 23:16
Dubai: Analysts observed four major changes in the public arena in the 2009 parliament election campaign; two being quite serious which could lead to a dramatic change in the future of democracy in the GCC state.
First, the tone of criticism against the government in the upcoming election is intensified because of pressure to contain the impact of the international financial crisis.
"The tone of disagreement is being heard especially loud during the current electorate campaign, whereas before the Emir and members of the royal family enjoyed more criticism free status," Ali Al Baghli, an ex-minister and writer highlighted. He also added that respect for national figures has slowly been eroding and says that such practices should not be allowed to flourish under the umbrella of democracy.
The defragmentation of a very strong Islamic opposition which used to stand against liberal forces in Kuwait and the rise of tribalism are additional variables in the May election.
"The tribal forces that used to be weaker and very much depending on the support of the government in the previous elections are getting much stronger in this year's election with signs of not only getting more independent from the government but becoming an emerging threat to the government itself," Hamad Al Mutairi of Al Mutair tribe told Gulf News.
According to Al Mutair, tribal politicians have become very powerful and are using grassroots techniques to promote themselves.
He said they now use new methods like posters, SMS, and candlelit sit-ins.
Of striking significance are women candidates from four main tribes calling for public gatherings and speaking in public, Al Mutair pointed out.
He believes that the number of registered candidates for the 2009 election of 283 including 34 women will decline in the coming few days because candidates who registered in the campaign for tactical reason will withdraw before the scheduled election on May 16.
"Women who obtained the right to run for the parliament in the 2008 election and failed to reach the house in the previous election might get closer or even succeed in this year with three of them getting more sophisticated in managing election campaigns," he said.
Aseel Al Awadi, Rola Dashti and Massouma Al Mubarak, are among the 34 women candidates running for the parliament. They are becoming extremely sophisticated in managing their campaigns by focusing on the key issues considered important for people in their constituencies.
"Women participation in this campaign is no longer ceremonial and I expect one or two of them to succeed in their efforts and reach the parliament for the first time in the history of the state," he said
He said women like Engineer Naima Al Hai, a candidate for the third constituency, is challenging the Islamists by running emphasising her right to represent the electorate of her constituency without wearing the headscarf.
Referring to an incident in the previous parliament where Islamist MP's requested a woman minister to wear hijab while in the parliament, Al Hai said, "if they [Islamists] ask me to wear hijab I would ask them to grow a beard, shave their moustache and wear an above the ankle garment like instructed by the Sunna of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)".
The fourth variable in this election is the rise of televised media. Five satellite channels have been launched by different groups to convey the views of the candidates to people in their constituencies. Al Sisy said Al Shahid (the witness), Al Rai (the opinion), Al Majlis (the gathering hall), Al Adala (The Justice) and Scoop, have assigned a minimum of 12 hours of their programmes to cover electoral activities. "There is no more dependence on official media and how much the time it could offer to each and every candidate," he said.
By Duraid Al Baik, Associate Editor
Published: April 27, 2009, 23:16
Dubai: Analysts observed four major changes in the public arena in the 2009 parliament election campaign; two being quite serious which could lead to a dramatic change in the future of democracy in the GCC state.
First, the tone of criticism against the government in the upcoming election is intensified because of pressure to contain the impact of the international financial crisis.
"The tone of disagreement is being heard especially loud during the current electorate campaign, whereas before the Emir and members of the royal family enjoyed more criticism free status," Ali Al Baghli, an ex-minister and writer highlighted. He also added that respect for national figures has slowly been eroding and says that such practices should not be allowed to flourish under the umbrella of democracy.
The defragmentation of a very strong Islamic opposition which used to stand against liberal forces in Kuwait and the rise of tribalism are additional variables in the May election.
"The tribal forces that used to be weaker and very much depending on the support of the government in the previous elections are getting much stronger in this year's election with signs of not only getting more independent from the government but becoming an emerging threat to the government itself," Hamad Al Mutairi of Al Mutair tribe told Gulf News.
According to Al Mutair, tribal politicians have become very powerful and are using grassroots techniques to promote themselves.
He said they now use new methods like posters, SMS, and candlelit sit-ins.
Of striking significance are women candidates from four main tribes calling for public gatherings and speaking in public, Al Mutair pointed out.
He believes that the number of registered candidates for the 2009 election of 283 including 34 women will decline in the coming few days because candidates who registered in the campaign for tactical reason will withdraw before the scheduled election on May 16.
"Women who obtained the right to run for the parliament in the 2008 election and failed to reach the house in the previous election might get closer or even succeed in this year with three of them getting more sophisticated in managing election campaigns," he said.
Aseel Al Awadi, Rola Dashti and Massouma Al Mubarak, are among the 34 women candidates running for the parliament. They are becoming extremely sophisticated in managing their campaigns by focusing on the key issues considered important for people in their constituencies.
"Women participation in this campaign is no longer ceremonial and I expect one or two of them to succeed in their efforts and reach the parliament for the first time in the history of the state," he said
He said women like Engineer Naima Al Hai, a candidate for the third constituency, is challenging the Islamists by running emphasising her right to represent the electorate of her constituency without wearing the headscarf.
Referring to an incident in the previous parliament where Islamist MP's requested a woman minister to wear hijab while in the parliament, Al Hai said, "if they [Islamists] ask me to wear hijab I would ask them to grow a beard, shave their moustache and wear an above the ankle garment like instructed by the Sunna of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)".
The fourth variable in this election is the rise of televised media. Five satellite channels have been launched by different groups to convey the views of the candidates to people in their constituencies. Al Sisy said Al Shahid (the witness), Al Rai (the opinion), Al Majlis (the gathering hall), Al Adala (The Justice) and Scoop, have assigned a minimum of 12 hours of their programmes to cover electoral activities. "There is no more dependence on official media and how much the time it could offer to each and every candidate," he said.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Kuwait: Apathy vs hope
Kuwait Times
Published Date: April 15, 2009
By Rawan Khalid, Staff writer
KUWAIT: Kuwait's elections will be held on May 16, but not many Kuwaitis seem that enthusiastic about them. While a few point out specific issues like women's progress or the rights of bedoons, most seem certain that the polls will bring little change to Kuwait.
Fares K is a supporter of a hands-on policy that hasn't been seen. The 28-year-old said, "What a candidate says during his electoral campaign should be done because what he said is like a promise to Kuwaitis. As we see during every election, candidates say what they want and we put our hopes in them and that they will change the reality in Kuwait. I am sorry for saying this, but nothing has changed.
Kuwait's young generation doesn't want to even think about the elections and they don't care about what is happening in Parliament. Twenty-four-year old Muna A is apathetic. "I am not interested in knowing about the elections and about who won or who lost, because I think the elections are all about wasta.
Another citizen was more critical as he related the many problems in the country to Parliament. "The National Assembly is the main problem in hampering the development in the country. Take the economic crisis for example. I heard that there is KD 2 million spent on the elections when the country needs this money," she argued.
Ahmed is disillusioned about the elections, too. "At the end of the day, elections mean nothing to me because it is the same every year. There are a lot of people who don't deserve to be in Parliament," he noted. On the other hand, there are many young Kuwaitis who are interested in voting for certain candidates but are overall less interested in the elections and Parliament.
A student at Kuwait University, 22-year-old May M, sees women as the key to progress. "I am with Aseel Al-Awadhi and I hope she wins because she deserves to. In my opinion, she has the key for changing the reality in Kuwait," she said.
We want someone who will do what he said in his electoral campaign, like [Mohammad] Al-Hayef [Al-Mutairi] who removed all the old 'musala' from the streets. I am a supporter of Al-Hayef," said 24-year-old Bader A.
Another, albeit minor issue of concern to voters, it turns out, are calls demanding rights for the stateless (bedoon). Granting bedoons Kuwaiti nationality and treating them like Kuwaitis is an issue that some see as key.
Umm Mohammad, a bedoon mother of three, has hope that one day her children will be citizens. "I hope all the candidates who promise the [Kuwaiti] nationality to the bedoon win because they will change our lives. I can't even let my children study in school now," she pointed out.
Published Date: April 15, 2009
By Rawan Khalid, Staff writer
KUWAIT: Kuwait's elections will be held on May 16, but not many Kuwaitis seem that enthusiastic about them. While a few point out specific issues like women's progress or the rights of bedoons, most seem certain that the polls will bring little change to Kuwait.
Fares K is a supporter of a hands-on policy that hasn't been seen. The 28-year-old said, "What a candidate says during his electoral campaign should be done because what he said is like a promise to Kuwaitis. As we see during every election, candidates say what they want and we put our hopes in them and that they will change the reality in Kuwait. I am sorry for saying this, but nothing has changed.
Kuwait's young generation doesn't want to even think about the elections and they don't care about what is happening in Parliament. Twenty-four-year old Muna A is apathetic. "I am not interested in knowing about the elections and about who won or who lost, because I think the elections are all about wasta.
Another citizen was more critical as he related the many problems in the country to Parliament. "The National Assembly is the main problem in hampering the development in the country. Take the economic crisis for example. I heard that there is KD 2 million spent on the elections when the country needs this money," she argued.
Ahmed is disillusioned about the elections, too. "At the end of the day, elections mean nothing to me because it is the same every year. There are a lot of people who don't deserve to be in Parliament," he noted. On the other hand, there are many young Kuwaitis who are interested in voting for certain candidates but are overall less interested in the elections and Parliament.
A student at Kuwait University, 22-year-old May M, sees women as the key to progress. "I am with Aseel Al-Awadhi and I hope she wins because she deserves to. In my opinion, she has the key for changing the reality in Kuwait," she said.
We want someone who will do what he said in his electoral campaign, like [Mohammad] Al-Hayef [Al-Mutairi] who removed all the old 'musala' from the streets. I am a supporter of Al-Hayef," said 24-year-old Bader A.
Another, albeit minor issue of concern to voters, it turns out, are calls demanding rights for the stateless (bedoon). Granting bedoons Kuwaiti nationality and treating them like Kuwaitis is an issue that some see as key.
Umm Mohammad, a bedoon mother of three, has hope that one day her children will be citizens. "I hope all the candidates who promise the [Kuwaiti] nationality to the bedoon win because they will change our lives. I can't even let my children study in school now," she pointed out.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Kuwait: Kuwaiti electors to blame for political gridlock; Little attention paid to female voters
I’m endeavoring to revive people’s sense of duty towards their country, said Dr Salwa Al-Jassar, an aspiring candidate in the coming legislative elections. She was speaking to the Arab Times in an interview in which she shared her vision and her opinions on the current political conditions in Kuwait. She also touched upon some of the findings of the UNDP studies that she took part in as a member of the organization’s Kuwait chapter.
Q: How do you see the future of Kuwaiti women in the local political scene?
A: I was appointed as a councilor for a very thorough and extended study by UNDP, Kuwait branch, aiming to review and analyze Kuwaiti women’s participation in 2008 elections. The study was conducted over six months and data was gathered using a number of techniques. It also included the opinions of a number of female candidates who participated in the previous elections.
The conclusions reached by the study, although not yet publicized, are a very positive indication of the opportunities Kuwaiti women have in Kuwait’s politics. Opinions and statistics gathered and scrutinized in the study clearly indicate an increase in awareness of women’s rights, and a general acceptance of women’s capabilities by the society.
Q: What are the major lessons you’ve learned from your participation in the legislative elections last year?
A: To start with, my experience as a candidate in 2008 elections has added so much to me as a person and broadened my understanding of my own capabilities, especially in my career as an instructor and professor in Kuwait University, as well as a researcher. Being a legislative candidate, I learnt so much about myself and my own country and community. This experience has enabled me to define myself as a person, as well as define my stand as a women’s rights activist and a person who is associated with many NGOs.
In 2006, I was not encouraged to participate in the then legislative elections despite the support I got from my family and numerous other people due to the aggressive and hostile atmosphere created against women who were exercising their newly-granted political rights for the first time. So, I did not capitalize on that opportunity as the challenges were very big.
However, I closely observed the travails of Kuwaiti women as they went to the polls and ran for elections. I also made a comparison between Kuwait and other Arab nations that undertook similar experiments with democracy such as Tunisia and Morocco among others. I was devastated to discover that no analytical studies were conducted by state-run institutions or NGOs in Kuwait. There were some positive initiatives undertaken to evaluate the experience of Kuwaiti women who went to the polls for the first time in the state’s history. Very little attention was given to the 2006 elections and especially women’s participation in it by the media.
Through my own research and studies, I learnt that Kuwait fell behind other nations in the political arena. Women in countries granting them political rights have always enjoyed a comprehensive support from activists, media, NGOs and governments who collaborate with one another to give more meaning to democracy. Meanwhile, in Kuwait, this experience went unnoticed and the period between 2006 elections and now wasn’t properly used even by female candidates who took part in the race to Parliament in 2006.
My last experience in the elections of 2008 also gave me a very good idea of what approach to take with electors. I have come to understand that when addressing electors one must condescend to grassroots levels and not approach them from ivory towers. I’ve also learned to present practical solutions to the problems rather than attacking the government to gain voters’ support. I believe Kuwait’s citizens are sick and tired of hearing clichés which candidates keep repeating over and over again without solving anything.
Q: How do you look at your failed bid for the parliament in 2008?
A: It was a definite success for me at all levels. It’s true I did not make it to the parliament, yet the number of votes I gained was a clear indication of the success I achieved, bearing in mind that the second constituency where I’m running is one of the biggest constituencies. It is also a constituency where veteran politicians and expert parliamentarians compete and therefore the competition is very tough. Furthermore, the second constituency is also known for widespread corruption and vote buying. Therefore, it is quite a challenge for a new candidate to make it through to the parliament from this constituency, regardless of the gender.
I also believe my experience rebuffs allegations that Kuwaiti women do not support other women: 1800 of the votes I received were from women, proving such allegations are baseless.
Q: You have mentioned that you compared women’s political experience in Kuwait with that of women in other countries in the world. Could you highlight the similarities and differences you spotted?
A: I realized that the world over there is a general prejudice against women entering politics, and it is not confined to Kuwait or the Middle East. In fact, such concerns are there in the developed world as well. It is a globally widespread notion that women are incompetent to hold powerful posts and are incapable of handling political pressures due to their emotional configuration and abilities.
Of course such beliefs in Kuwait are more dominant, as Kuwaiti community is strongly affected by a code of conservative traditions and principles which feed the false mindsets. People think that women lack leadership qualities or abilities to take decisions. Women are thought of as being incapable of handling pressures. Sadly, it is not only the men who carry these misconceptions, but women too.
Q: What were the most important factors you took into consideration when you took the decision of running for the elections in 2008 and 2009?
A: A very serious step such as running in the legislative election could have never been made randomly. It required a lot of preparation and research. It was very essential for me that I get my family’s support prior to announcing my candidacy. As you know, we are part of the Kuwaiti community with all its traditions and conservativeness and it would have been rather awkward for me to go through such a move knowing my family is not by my side.
Gratefully, I had my family’s support from the very beginning. They showed their trust and faith in my abilities and in me. This support boosted my confidence to go ahead with what I promised the electors about focusing on the needs and requirements of the Kuwaiti families and rejuvenating values of solidarity.
Q: As both an elector and a candidate, did you come across practices that you have not agreed with, especially by other candidates?
A: Yes … once I received a phone call from a woman who tried persuading me to vote for a certain male candidate. The funny thing was that the caller kept mispronouncing the candidate’s name which provoked me to ask if she has ever met him. Obviously the answer was no, and she explained that she, along with a whole team of women were appointed to make such phone calls to female voters. She knew nothing about this candidates’ character or identity!! I believe such a candidate, who fails to prepare and train those campaigning for him has no respect for the voters.
One more thing I noticed is that candidates pay very little attention to female voters when publishing huge ads in local papers. A candidate’s ad can fill up a page or a large part of it to announce the holding of a symposium, but only a very small, hardly visible line in the ad will be addressing the female readers. I see such a gesture as blatant lack of concern for female electors who make up more than half of Kuwait’s illegible voters.
On the other hand, female candidates go to extreme levels to reach male electors and gain their support on their electoral agenda. I’d say this is due to lack of awareness and because politics has been a male’s bastion for too long.
I bet that majority of Kuwait’s eligible female voters are graduates from universities, yet they rely on their male relatives or companions when deciding whom to vote for.
Q: How do you regard the fact that highly educated women fail to make their own political choices?
A: The idea is really scary! It really scares me to know that our education brings up citizens who lack a sense of national duty and who do not understand their responsibilities as Kuwaiti citizens. It is a dangerous realization that a hundred thousand female voters choose to sell off their votes, or support illegal primaries, or submit to political pressures of some kind or even abet in malpractices. The increase in election malfeasance only hints at a gross disrespect for democratic values.
Q: Reaching the parliament is of course the goal of every legislative candidate, but do you have other goals as well?
A: When I decided to run for the 2008 elections, I had already known that my chances of winning were very slim...may be only one percent. Nevertheless, I had other goals in mind.… I wanted to present a positive example of a Kuwaiti woman contributing to the Kuwaiti political scene and I’m proud to say that I succeeded in that regard. It’s because of this success that all those who work in my campaigns are volunteers who believe in who I am.
I made it a point to be available in my electoral headquarters every day since the previous elections in order to get in touch with voters in my constituency. I also made it a point to meet with volunteers working on my campaign, talk to them regularly, and train them to properly endorse the candidate whom they’re promoting without offending or undermining the voter’s sensibilities.
Q: How about your electoral agenda? Will your priorities for this year change from that of last year?
A: I do not promote a certain program, but I do have a vision. I don’t believe a candidate should have a certain agenda but should be open to tackling all problems. However, I will focus on four major issues starting with education — I believe the solution to all problems lies in an ideal educational system. The second issue is regarding the Kuwaiti youth who I feel are not properly cared for. There is a lot to be done to provide job opportunities and supporting outstanding students and talents.
The third concern of mine is Kuwaiti women. I am not worried about their education, access to health services, or job opportunities, because Kuwaiti women are doing well in all these areas. However, there are major obstacles hindering optimum benefits for women’s capabilities, most important of which is the traditional mindset which still dominates the Kuwaiti society of both genders. It is quite disappointing that Kuwait, which once pioneered GCC states in women’s rights, constitution, democracy and laws, has now fallen behind all other countries, which have paved the way for women to work as judges, or hold more ministerial portfolios or other leading posts.
Q: So far you’ve mentioned education, Kuwaiti youth and Kuwaiti women as three of the four main concerns of yours as a candidate. What is the fourth matter of interest in your electoral campaign?
A: Yes.… the final concern is very important. It is to do with the proper understanding of citizenship and national identity...the deficiency of this is the core cause of the political dilemma that Kuwait is grappling with for many years now. General conditions in the country have created mistrust among the people for the regime and the political system.
So they’re choosing to withdraw from contributing to the community.
Although I hold citizens responsible for this seemingly unending political gridlock, I feel the real cause of it is the Kuwaiti families, which are not doing enough to raise good citizens. Our generation was brought up the classical way, and that’s why we ended up as active and responsible individuals who are keen to contribute to our society. It is essential to raise awareness on the importance of the role of families in inculcating good habits in the children.
Further, Kuwait witnessed a sudden and dramatic financial boom which wasn’t synchronized by a full and correct understanding of urbanization, which, naturally, led to the mishandling of these modern facilities. Kuwaitis, with abundant wealth, have become crassly consumerist and search for the easy options in all walks of life at the cost of real values.
Sadly, studies have proved that Kuwait is amongst the world’s top ten countries whose citizens contribute the least to national development compared to their high monthly wages. This is a national threat. Such an attitude towards life leads to a very negative impact on citizens’ actions in all aspects of life, including politic. This means that legislative candidates who promise benefits for individuals are only seeking to win elections, and not for national welfare.
Thereby, I will focus on reviving values and principles amongst Kuwaitis and stoke their will to build their own nation and move forward rather than believing in shortcuts.
Q: HH the Amir had repeatedly and in vain cautioned former parliamentarians on malpractices, stating that he will not hesitate to take any measure to safeguard Kuwait’s stability. Do you think the final Amiri speech given during the dissolution of the parliament will bring about the desired change in the behaviors of both aspiring candidates and electors?
A: It should.… It must and I hope the change will include the nation as a whole! The Amir’s speech was directed to everyone in the state, including citizens and institutions. I deem this a very historical speech, which was delivered at the appropriate moment because Kuwait is on the verge of a terrible future if this political impasse doesn’t come to an end.
We, as a nation, have encountered numerous crises which we have successfully handled. However, this is by far the worst Kuwait has encountered on the financial, social, cultural and political fronts.
Nonetheless, I’m sensing a change, especially with the availability of the unprecedented numbers of new TV channels and newspapers, which provide the space for citizens to express their opinions, particularly the segment of citizens who are silent and make up around 40 percent of the whole nation. This segment is not ignorant of what’s happening around them, but on the contrary, it is just looking for an opportunity to express its opinion. Thus far, this segment has expressed its dissatisfaction over the past parliaments. If this so called “silent segment” of Kuwait, which is capable of brining about huge changes, decides to act, I predict a major positive change will take place in Kuwait.
I believe this profusion of new media channels rang a wakeup call and alerted Kuwaitis as they exposed what was previously hidden, and also terminated the monopoly of certain individuals as information providers. I predict that a change of around 25 or 30 percent is coming up in the new parliament, although I’m not very optimistic because what we’re seeing now is the outcome of many negative factors that accumulated over the years and which will take as many years to clear.
Q: Kuwait has grappled with constant disputes between five governments and three parliaments during three years. Which authority is to be blamed for this? Or do you believe disputes among members of the ruling family have a hand in this?
A: To be honest with you, I find it extremely unnecessary to delve in such debates. I strongly believe those responsible for this gridlock are the Kuwaitis themselves... after all it’s their votes which made up these parliaments. The attitude of voters with respect to discharging their duties towards their nation is plagued by a defective thinking that surfaced following the Iraqi Invasion, which brought about a sea change in people’s ideas about nationalism, loyalty and national responsibilities.
Therefore, the Kuwaiti citizen no longer performs his duties out of loyalty for his country, but rather out of self interest. That’s why a citizen so easily violates any law if that could help him or her achieve the desired goal. Sadly, this approach has politicized the different blocs and alliances, and spread to include a large section of the Kuwaiti population. Therefore, lawmakers are not voted based on their competence, but based on personal favors and palm greasing.
The previous parliament convened only 12 times due to lack of quorum. Similarly, many committees held very limited meetings all through the legislative term. This in itself reflects the interests of former parliamentarians.
Q: So you don’t think the former governments are to be blamed for any of this?
A: Of course the executive authority bears a share of the blame too, but which government should we hold responsible? In three years, five different cabinets were appointed! The cabinet’s problem lay in the appointment of unfit ministers lacking leadership qualities, scientific knowledge, a will to reform, or a vision for development.
Q: Do you think merging premiership with the post of crown prince will put an end to this political stalemate?
A: It definitely will, yes. As per the country’s customs, crown princes don’t get grilled, and therefore this will check the efforts of those MPs who try to be a stumbling block in the way of any productive reforms brought about by the prime minister. It is important to mention that the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohamed, was a reformer. He was honest, diplomatic and a true statesman, and was unfortunately brought down by a minority seeking personal gains.
By Dahlia Kholaif
Arab Times Staff
Q: How do you see the future of Kuwaiti women in the local political scene?
A: I was appointed as a councilor for a very thorough and extended study by UNDP, Kuwait branch, aiming to review and analyze Kuwaiti women’s participation in 2008 elections. The study was conducted over six months and data was gathered using a number of techniques. It also included the opinions of a number of female candidates who participated in the previous elections.
The conclusions reached by the study, although not yet publicized, are a very positive indication of the opportunities Kuwaiti women have in Kuwait’s politics. Opinions and statistics gathered and scrutinized in the study clearly indicate an increase in awareness of women’s rights, and a general acceptance of women’s capabilities by the society.
Q: What are the major lessons you’ve learned from your participation in the legislative elections last year?
A: To start with, my experience as a candidate in 2008 elections has added so much to me as a person and broadened my understanding of my own capabilities, especially in my career as an instructor and professor in Kuwait University, as well as a researcher. Being a legislative candidate, I learnt so much about myself and my own country and community. This experience has enabled me to define myself as a person, as well as define my stand as a women’s rights activist and a person who is associated with many NGOs.
In 2006, I was not encouraged to participate in the then legislative elections despite the support I got from my family and numerous other people due to the aggressive and hostile atmosphere created against women who were exercising their newly-granted political rights for the first time. So, I did not capitalize on that opportunity as the challenges were very big.
However, I closely observed the travails of Kuwaiti women as they went to the polls and ran for elections. I also made a comparison between Kuwait and other Arab nations that undertook similar experiments with democracy such as Tunisia and Morocco among others. I was devastated to discover that no analytical studies were conducted by state-run institutions or NGOs in Kuwait. There were some positive initiatives undertaken to evaluate the experience of Kuwaiti women who went to the polls for the first time in the state’s history. Very little attention was given to the 2006 elections and especially women’s participation in it by the media.
Through my own research and studies, I learnt that Kuwait fell behind other nations in the political arena. Women in countries granting them political rights have always enjoyed a comprehensive support from activists, media, NGOs and governments who collaborate with one another to give more meaning to democracy. Meanwhile, in Kuwait, this experience went unnoticed and the period between 2006 elections and now wasn’t properly used even by female candidates who took part in the race to Parliament in 2006.
My last experience in the elections of 2008 also gave me a very good idea of what approach to take with electors. I have come to understand that when addressing electors one must condescend to grassroots levels and not approach them from ivory towers. I’ve also learned to present practical solutions to the problems rather than attacking the government to gain voters’ support. I believe Kuwait’s citizens are sick and tired of hearing clichés which candidates keep repeating over and over again without solving anything.
Q: How do you look at your failed bid for the parliament in 2008?
A: It was a definite success for me at all levels. It’s true I did not make it to the parliament, yet the number of votes I gained was a clear indication of the success I achieved, bearing in mind that the second constituency where I’m running is one of the biggest constituencies. It is also a constituency where veteran politicians and expert parliamentarians compete and therefore the competition is very tough. Furthermore, the second constituency is also known for widespread corruption and vote buying. Therefore, it is quite a challenge for a new candidate to make it through to the parliament from this constituency, regardless of the gender.
I also believe my experience rebuffs allegations that Kuwaiti women do not support other women: 1800 of the votes I received were from women, proving such allegations are baseless.
Q: You have mentioned that you compared women’s political experience in Kuwait with that of women in other countries in the world. Could you highlight the similarities and differences you spotted?
A: I realized that the world over there is a general prejudice against women entering politics, and it is not confined to Kuwait or the Middle East. In fact, such concerns are there in the developed world as well. It is a globally widespread notion that women are incompetent to hold powerful posts and are incapable of handling political pressures due to their emotional configuration and abilities.
Of course such beliefs in Kuwait are more dominant, as Kuwaiti community is strongly affected by a code of conservative traditions and principles which feed the false mindsets. People think that women lack leadership qualities or abilities to take decisions. Women are thought of as being incapable of handling pressures. Sadly, it is not only the men who carry these misconceptions, but women too.
Q: What were the most important factors you took into consideration when you took the decision of running for the elections in 2008 and 2009?
A: A very serious step such as running in the legislative election could have never been made randomly. It required a lot of preparation and research. It was very essential for me that I get my family’s support prior to announcing my candidacy. As you know, we are part of the Kuwaiti community with all its traditions and conservativeness and it would have been rather awkward for me to go through such a move knowing my family is not by my side.
Gratefully, I had my family’s support from the very beginning. They showed their trust and faith in my abilities and in me. This support boosted my confidence to go ahead with what I promised the electors about focusing on the needs and requirements of the Kuwaiti families and rejuvenating values of solidarity.
Q: As both an elector and a candidate, did you come across practices that you have not agreed with, especially by other candidates?
A: Yes … once I received a phone call from a woman who tried persuading me to vote for a certain male candidate. The funny thing was that the caller kept mispronouncing the candidate’s name which provoked me to ask if she has ever met him. Obviously the answer was no, and she explained that she, along with a whole team of women were appointed to make such phone calls to female voters. She knew nothing about this candidates’ character or identity!! I believe such a candidate, who fails to prepare and train those campaigning for him has no respect for the voters.
One more thing I noticed is that candidates pay very little attention to female voters when publishing huge ads in local papers. A candidate’s ad can fill up a page or a large part of it to announce the holding of a symposium, but only a very small, hardly visible line in the ad will be addressing the female readers. I see such a gesture as blatant lack of concern for female electors who make up more than half of Kuwait’s illegible voters.
On the other hand, female candidates go to extreme levels to reach male electors and gain their support on their electoral agenda. I’d say this is due to lack of awareness and because politics has been a male’s bastion for too long.
I bet that majority of Kuwait’s eligible female voters are graduates from universities, yet they rely on their male relatives or companions when deciding whom to vote for.
Q: How do you regard the fact that highly educated women fail to make their own political choices?
A: The idea is really scary! It really scares me to know that our education brings up citizens who lack a sense of national duty and who do not understand their responsibilities as Kuwaiti citizens. It is a dangerous realization that a hundred thousand female voters choose to sell off their votes, or support illegal primaries, or submit to political pressures of some kind or even abet in malpractices. The increase in election malfeasance only hints at a gross disrespect for democratic values.
Q: Reaching the parliament is of course the goal of every legislative candidate, but do you have other goals as well?
A: When I decided to run for the 2008 elections, I had already known that my chances of winning were very slim...may be only one percent. Nevertheless, I had other goals in mind.… I wanted to present a positive example of a Kuwaiti woman contributing to the Kuwaiti political scene and I’m proud to say that I succeeded in that regard. It’s because of this success that all those who work in my campaigns are volunteers who believe in who I am.
I made it a point to be available in my electoral headquarters every day since the previous elections in order to get in touch with voters in my constituency. I also made it a point to meet with volunteers working on my campaign, talk to them regularly, and train them to properly endorse the candidate whom they’re promoting without offending or undermining the voter’s sensibilities.
Q: How about your electoral agenda? Will your priorities for this year change from that of last year?
A: I do not promote a certain program, but I do have a vision. I don’t believe a candidate should have a certain agenda but should be open to tackling all problems. However, I will focus on four major issues starting with education — I believe the solution to all problems lies in an ideal educational system. The second issue is regarding the Kuwaiti youth who I feel are not properly cared for. There is a lot to be done to provide job opportunities and supporting outstanding students and talents.
The third concern of mine is Kuwaiti women. I am not worried about their education, access to health services, or job opportunities, because Kuwaiti women are doing well in all these areas. However, there are major obstacles hindering optimum benefits for women’s capabilities, most important of which is the traditional mindset which still dominates the Kuwaiti society of both genders. It is quite disappointing that Kuwait, which once pioneered GCC states in women’s rights, constitution, democracy and laws, has now fallen behind all other countries, which have paved the way for women to work as judges, or hold more ministerial portfolios or other leading posts.
Q: So far you’ve mentioned education, Kuwaiti youth and Kuwaiti women as three of the four main concerns of yours as a candidate. What is the fourth matter of interest in your electoral campaign?
A: Yes.… the final concern is very important. It is to do with the proper understanding of citizenship and national identity...the deficiency of this is the core cause of the political dilemma that Kuwait is grappling with for many years now. General conditions in the country have created mistrust among the people for the regime and the political system.
So they’re choosing to withdraw from contributing to the community.
Although I hold citizens responsible for this seemingly unending political gridlock, I feel the real cause of it is the Kuwaiti families, which are not doing enough to raise good citizens. Our generation was brought up the classical way, and that’s why we ended up as active and responsible individuals who are keen to contribute to our society. It is essential to raise awareness on the importance of the role of families in inculcating good habits in the children.
Further, Kuwait witnessed a sudden and dramatic financial boom which wasn’t synchronized by a full and correct understanding of urbanization, which, naturally, led to the mishandling of these modern facilities. Kuwaitis, with abundant wealth, have become crassly consumerist and search for the easy options in all walks of life at the cost of real values.
Sadly, studies have proved that Kuwait is amongst the world’s top ten countries whose citizens contribute the least to national development compared to their high monthly wages. This is a national threat. Such an attitude towards life leads to a very negative impact on citizens’ actions in all aspects of life, including politic. This means that legislative candidates who promise benefits for individuals are only seeking to win elections, and not for national welfare.
Thereby, I will focus on reviving values and principles amongst Kuwaitis and stoke their will to build their own nation and move forward rather than believing in shortcuts.
Q: HH the Amir had repeatedly and in vain cautioned former parliamentarians on malpractices, stating that he will not hesitate to take any measure to safeguard Kuwait’s stability. Do you think the final Amiri speech given during the dissolution of the parliament will bring about the desired change in the behaviors of both aspiring candidates and electors?
A: It should.… It must and I hope the change will include the nation as a whole! The Amir’s speech was directed to everyone in the state, including citizens and institutions. I deem this a very historical speech, which was delivered at the appropriate moment because Kuwait is on the verge of a terrible future if this political impasse doesn’t come to an end.
We, as a nation, have encountered numerous crises which we have successfully handled. However, this is by far the worst Kuwait has encountered on the financial, social, cultural and political fronts.
Nonetheless, I’m sensing a change, especially with the availability of the unprecedented numbers of new TV channels and newspapers, which provide the space for citizens to express their opinions, particularly the segment of citizens who are silent and make up around 40 percent of the whole nation. This segment is not ignorant of what’s happening around them, but on the contrary, it is just looking for an opportunity to express its opinion. Thus far, this segment has expressed its dissatisfaction over the past parliaments. If this so called “silent segment” of Kuwait, which is capable of brining about huge changes, decides to act, I predict a major positive change will take place in Kuwait.
I believe this profusion of new media channels rang a wakeup call and alerted Kuwaitis as they exposed what was previously hidden, and also terminated the monopoly of certain individuals as information providers. I predict that a change of around 25 or 30 percent is coming up in the new parliament, although I’m not very optimistic because what we’re seeing now is the outcome of many negative factors that accumulated over the years and which will take as many years to clear.
Q: Kuwait has grappled with constant disputes between five governments and three parliaments during three years. Which authority is to be blamed for this? Or do you believe disputes among members of the ruling family have a hand in this?
A: To be honest with you, I find it extremely unnecessary to delve in such debates. I strongly believe those responsible for this gridlock are the Kuwaitis themselves... after all it’s their votes which made up these parliaments. The attitude of voters with respect to discharging their duties towards their nation is plagued by a defective thinking that surfaced following the Iraqi Invasion, which brought about a sea change in people’s ideas about nationalism, loyalty and national responsibilities.
Therefore, the Kuwaiti citizen no longer performs his duties out of loyalty for his country, but rather out of self interest. That’s why a citizen so easily violates any law if that could help him or her achieve the desired goal. Sadly, this approach has politicized the different blocs and alliances, and spread to include a large section of the Kuwaiti population. Therefore, lawmakers are not voted based on their competence, but based on personal favors and palm greasing.
The previous parliament convened only 12 times due to lack of quorum. Similarly, many committees held very limited meetings all through the legislative term. This in itself reflects the interests of former parliamentarians.
Q: So you don’t think the former governments are to be blamed for any of this?
A: Of course the executive authority bears a share of the blame too, but which government should we hold responsible? In three years, five different cabinets were appointed! The cabinet’s problem lay in the appointment of unfit ministers lacking leadership qualities, scientific knowledge, a will to reform, or a vision for development.
Q: Do you think merging premiership with the post of crown prince will put an end to this political stalemate?
A: It definitely will, yes. As per the country’s customs, crown princes don’t get grilled, and therefore this will check the efforts of those MPs who try to be a stumbling block in the way of any productive reforms brought about by the prime minister. It is important to mention that the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohamed, was a reformer. He was honest, diplomatic and a true statesman, and was unfortunately brought down by a minority seeking personal gains.
By Dahlia Kholaif
Arab Times Staff
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Algeria: Algeria's women like a 'class apart' at the polls
Apr 8, 2009
ALGIERS (AFP) — Nesrine and Rym, two students at a marketing college, have each been to the theatre only once in their lives and almost as rarely to the cinema, seen as a place Algeria's women should not frequent.
Neither will vote in Thursday's presidential election, they told AFP, since they do not expect that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will do much for women on winning a third term, which is a foregone conclusion.
Many Algerian women feel like a class apart, a view reflected in the way city streets empty of all but men after shops and offices close at night, though women form a large part of the workforce.
"Algerian women are subject to a curfew that has never been officially decreed, but which is an crying reality," says 20-year-old Imane Ghezali, the daughter of a journalist and a teacher.
Her parents are modernists by general standards, and Ghezali with her long brown hair seizes occasions to go out without fearing the wrath of the family and social opproprium if she does.
Sometimes she visits the only bowling alley in the whole of the north African country, which is located in an Algiers suburb. But each 30 minutes play there costs 2,000 dinars (27 dollars / 21 euros), which is 15 percent of the national monthly minimum wage.
Pressure on women from Islamic extremists has eased since the 1990s, when Algeria plunged into civil war waged by groups out to turn the secular state into a hardline Islamist one, but most women wear the hidjab, the robe that covers them from head to foot.
For some, given the rising cost of living in the oil-rich but economically distressed nation, the hidjab is a matter of convenience to hide poverty rather than an ostentatious sign of religious belief and means of avoiding "Satanic" lust.
Nesrine and Rym, who wear headscarves and discreet make-up around their eyes and lipstick, are also among those who feel privileged. Their parents, who are architects and teachers, are understanding and allow them to go out.
But go where? The three students say that the few cinemas in Algiers are dodgy venues. Short of places to be on their own together, young Algerians go to the cinema to steal kisses and caresses, but at the risk of being accused of debauchery.
Hopeful men also hang out at such places and the three girls said they prefer to avoid them rather than be hassled afterwards by insistent and creepy courtiers.
There are a few teashops that young Algerian women can go to and where they can also hang out with their boyfriends. However, their prices are too high for much of the population in a country that goes to the polls more concerned about recent inflation than the political aspects of Bouteflika's bid for a third term.
The tea-rooms keep spaces that are "reserved for families," which people know to mean that solitary young men will not be admitted.
But more often than not, young Algerians are resigned to "long-distance love" by mobile phone, Rym told AFP. About 17 million people in the country use cellphones, accounting for roughly a third of the population.
Sarah K, a journalist who works on the culture pages of an Algiers daily, confirmed that when youngsters want to step out, the number of places they can go is "derisory." For the vast majority of girls, family outings are the only ones they get and television is their one source of leisure.
The cafes, mosques and street corners are the nightly preserve of Algerian men.
ALGIERS (AFP) — Nesrine and Rym, two students at a marketing college, have each been to the theatre only once in their lives and almost as rarely to the cinema, seen as a place Algeria's women should not frequent.
Neither will vote in Thursday's presidential election, they told AFP, since they do not expect that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will do much for women on winning a third term, which is a foregone conclusion.
Many Algerian women feel like a class apart, a view reflected in the way city streets empty of all but men after shops and offices close at night, though women form a large part of the workforce.
"Algerian women are subject to a curfew that has never been officially decreed, but which is an crying reality," says 20-year-old Imane Ghezali, the daughter of a journalist and a teacher.
Her parents are modernists by general standards, and Ghezali with her long brown hair seizes occasions to go out without fearing the wrath of the family and social opproprium if she does.
Sometimes she visits the only bowling alley in the whole of the north African country, which is located in an Algiers suburb. But each 30 minutes play there costs 2,000 dinars (27 dollars / 21 euros), which is 15 percent of the national monthly minimum wage.
Pressure on women from Islamic extremists has eased since the 1990s, when Algeria plunged into civil war waged by groups out to turn the secular state into a hardline Islamist one, but most women wear the hidjab, the robe that covers them from head to foot.
For some, given the rising cost of living in the oil-rich but economically distressed nation, the hidjab is a matter of convenience to hide poverty rather than an ostentatious sign of religious belief and means of avoiding "Satanic" lust.
Nesrine and Rym, who wear headscarves and discreet make-up around their eyes and lipstick, are also among those who feel privileged. Their parents, who are architects and teachers, are understanding and allow them to go out.
But go where? The three students say that the few cinemas in Algiers are dodgy venues. Short of places to be on their own together, young Algerians go to the cinema to steal kisses and caresses, but at the risk of being accused of debauchery.
Hopeful men also hang out at such places and the three girls said they prefer to avoid them rather than be hassled afterwards by insistent and creepy courtiers.
There are a few teashops that young Algerian women can go to and where they can also hang out with their boyfriends. However, their prices are too high for much of the population in a country that goes to the polls more concerned about recent inflation than the political aspects of Bouteflika's bid for a third term.
The tea-rooms keep spaces that are "reserved for families," which people know to mean that solitary young men will not be admitted.
But more often than not, young Algerians are resigned to "long-distance love" by mobile phone, Rym told AFP. About 17 million people in the country use cellphones, accounting for roughly a third of the population.
Sarah K, a journalist who works on the culture pages of an Algiers daily, confirmed that when youngsters want to step out, the number of places they can go is "derisory." For the vast majority of girls, family outings are the only ones they get and television is their one source of leisure.
The cafes, mosques and street corners are the nightly preserve of Algerian men.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Morocco: Women pin hopes on 2009 communal elections
A Moroccan woman examines a blank chart of constituencies. Associations throughout Morocco are rallying efforts to give electors more women candidates in the 2009 communal elections.
Moroccan women hold only a half-percent of the country's local political positions, run just 127 of 1,497 communes and serve as mayor of only one town. In the run-up to Morocco's 2009 communal elections, civil society is now rallying to change this situation.
The effort to increase women's political representation at the municipal level is finding support from an alliance of nearly 1,000 associations across Morocco. Under the banner, "The One-Third Movement", the new federation has launched a large-scale campaign aimed at convincing politicians to amend the electoral code. Activists want the law to require that women comprise at least a third of listed candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.
"The most important thing for us is that women participate more. We’re not even talking about equality, just a third," says Khadija Rebbah, president of the Casablanca branch of the Moroccan Women’s Democratic Association.
Nouzha Skelli, the Minister for Social Development, the Family and Solidarity, says it is time to give women the place they deserve at the local level. If women are left on the sidelines, she asserts, half of society will find itself marginalised.
"Women have a lot of potential and they must be given the opportunity to show what they’re capable of," she tells Magharebia, adding, "It’s absolutely essential that we get above the level of 0.56%".
According to the president of the Moroccan Human Rights Organisation, however, the communal elections pose a major problem for improving women’s representation. "This is due to the absence of all-women lists, as happened during the legislative elections," Amina Bouayache explained.
The new federation's plan to raise awareness within parliament, political parties and the government is already beginning to see results. Some political parties now promise to give women greater participation during next year's elections.
Said Ameskane, a spokesman for the Mouvement Populaire, told Magharebia: "My party will give women a big opportunity. However, priority will be given to those who work at the grassroots level and are popular with voters."
The National Rally of Independents will also attach great importance to fielding women candidates, said party official Anis Birou.
"You feel that there is the political will at the national level to give women the place they deserve within decision-making authorities," political science professor Ahmed Badri explained, noting that "the appointment of seven women to the government proves this". Still, he added, "efforts need to be pursued at the local level so that the country can rise up the international rankings".
"Morocco is ranked 92nd in the world in terms of women’s representation," he said.
Voters disagree as to women’s ability to run public affairs. While many young people say they will make their choice based on clearly-defined criteria, irrespective of the candidate’s gender, older people make no secret of their preference for male candidates.
"I think it doesn’t really matter whether the candidate is a man or a woman. The main thing is that they should be honest, hold at least the baccalaureate, and be committed to serving their region," medical student Amine Belghiti told Magharebia. "I’d be happy to vote for a woman."
50-year-old nurse Mohamed Farkhati has a totally different opinion: "Politics isn’t for women. They will never be able to run things better than men. I will not allow a woman to run the affairs of my commune," he told us. His view is shared by a large number of other voters, both male and female.
To change this well-entrenched perspective, awareness-raising activity will continue at the regional level by associations and at the local level by political parties.
The "One-Third Movement" plans to step up its efforts over the next few months, as the municipal elections in Morocco draw near.
- Sarah Touahri, Magharebia
Moroccan women hold only a half-percent of the country's local political positions, run just 127 of 1,497 communes and serve as mayor of only one town. In the run-up to Morocco's 2009 communal elections, civil society is now rallying to change this situation.
The effort to increase women's political representation at the municipal level is finding support from an alliance of nearly 1,000 associations across Morocco. Under the banner, "The One-Third Movement", the new federation has launched a large-scale campaign aimed at convincing politicians to amend the electoral code. Activists want the law to require that women comprise at least a third of listed candidates in the upcoming municipal elections.
"The most important thing for us is that women participate more. We’re not even talking about equality, just a third," says Khadija Rebbah, president of the Casablanca branch of the Moroccan Women’s Democratic Association.
Nouzha Skelli, the Minister for Social Development, the Family and Solidarity, says it is time to give women the place they deserve at the local level. If women are left on the sidelines, she asserts, half of society will find itself marginalised.
"Women have a lot of potential and they must be given the opportunity to show what they’re capable of," she tells Magharebia, adding, "It’s absolutely essential that we get above the level of 0.56%".
According to the president of the Moroccan Human Rights Organisation, however, the communal elections pose a major problem for improving women’s representation. "This is due to the absence of all-women lists, as happened during the legislative elections," Amina Bouayache explained.
The new federation's plan to raise awareness within parliament, political parties and the government is already beginning to see results. Some political parties now promise to give women greater participation during next year's elections.
Said Ameskane, a spokesman for the Mouvement Populaire, told Magharebia: "My party will give women a big opportunity. However, priority will be given to those who work at the grassroots level and are popular with voters."
The National Rally of Independents will also attach great importance to fielding women candidates, said party official Anis Birou.
"You feel that there is the political will at the national level to give women the place they deserve within decision-making authorities," political science professor Ahmed Badri explained, noting that "the appointment of seven women to the government proves this". Still, he added, "efforts need to be pursued at the local level so that the country can rise up the international rankings".
"Morocco is ranked 92nd in the world in terms of women’s representation," he said.
Voters disagree as to women’s ability to run public affairs. While many young people say they will make their choice based on clearly-defined criteria, irrespective of the candidate’s gender, older people make no secret of their preference for male candidates.
"I think it doesn’t really matter whether the candidate is a man or a woman. The main thing is that they should be honest, hold at least the baccalaureate, and be committed to serving their region," medical student Amine Belghiti told Magharebia. "I’d be happy to vote for a woman."
50-year-old nurse Mohamed Farkhati has a totally different opinion: "Politics isn’t for women. They will never be able to run things better than men. I will not allow a woman to run the affairs of my commune," he told us. His view is shared by a large number of other voters, both male and female.
To change this well-entrenched perspective, awareness-raising activity will continue at the regional level by associations and at the local level by political parties.
The "One-Third Movement" plans to step up its efforts over the next few months, as the municipal elections in Morocco draw near.
- Sarah Touahri, Magharebia
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
West Bank/Gaza: Women are still more Supportive of Hamas
Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD) conducted an opinion poll dated 16-18 January 2008 after and during the latest Gaza attacks. A representative sample, of 3200 Palestinians, was interviewed in all West Bank and Gaza districts.
The main results were published on January the 23rd showing a decline in the support for Fateh and a slight increase in the support for Hamas. One must note that the latest attacks on Gaza influenced Palestinian views on most issues. Other important factors in this poll were gender, age and education that are clearly correlated with political attitudes.
During the last decade, various polls had shown that women, youth and educated Palestinians comprised the main bulk of support for Hamas. This poll shows major shifts, where these groups do not seem to be as supportive of the movement as traditionally believed. The opposite is true for Fateh that seems to have made gains among young and educated respondents, but still lagging behind among women.
Fewer Women Supporting Hamas; No Signs of Reconciliation between Women and Fateh
Previous polling had shown that fewer women, than men, support the peace process, and more women, than men, support Hamas. The current poll shows a continuation in the gender gap for most political issues, but a declining gap on support for Hamas. Women are, however, still more reluctant to support Fateh.
Around 31% of men fully support the outcome of Annapolis and the continuation of negotiations.
This view is shared by 23% of the female respondents.
Again, 39% of men support the division of Jerusalem and exchange of sovereignty, compared with 25% of women.
51% of men support steps taken by Abbas to end the occupation, compared with 41% among women.
28% of women believe that Hamas has a real alternative to end the occupation, compared with 23% of men.
In terms of support for Hamas, the gender gap is declining with only 18% of the women stating that they will vote for the movement, compared with 16% among men.
When it comes to Fateh, the gender gap continues where 27% of the women and 37% of the men declared that they might vote for Fateh in a PLC election.
The main results were published on January the 23rd showing a decline in the support for Fateh and a slight increase in the support for Hamas. One must note that the latest attacks on Gaza influenced Palestinian views on most issues. Other important factors in this poll were gender, age and education that are clearly correlated with political attitudes.
During the last decade, various polls had shown that women, youth and educated Palestinians comprised the main bulk of support for Hamas. This poll shows major shifts, where these groups do not seem to be as supportive of the movement as traditionally believed. The opposite is true for Fateh that seems to have made gains among young and educated respondents, but still lagging behind among women.
Fewer Women Supporting Hamas; No Signs of Reconciliation between Women and Fateh
Previous polling had shown that fewer women, than men, support the peace process, and more women, than men, support Hamas. The current poll shows a continuation in the gender gap for most political issues, but a declining gap on support for Hamas. Women are, however, still more reluctant to support Fateh.
Around 31% of men fully support the outcome of Annapolis and the continuation of negotiations.
This view is shared by 23% of the female respondents.
Again, 39% of men support the division of Jerusalem and exchange of sovereignty, compared with 25% of women.
51% of men support steps taken by Abbas to end the occupation, compared with 41% among women.
28% of women believe that Hamas has a real alternative to end the occupation, compared with 23% of men.
In terms of support for Hamas, the gender gap is declining with only 18% of the women stating that they will vote for the movement, compared with 16% among men.
When it comes to Fateh, the gender gap continues where 27% of the women and 37% of the men declared that they might vote for Fateh in a PLC election.
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