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On May 16, 2005, the women of Kuwait, standing together, won a prize they had been working toward for years – the right to vote and run for election. On May 16, 2009, the promise of that achievement came to fruition. Four women, running competitive, professional campaigns, won seats in Kuwait’s 50-member parliament. NDI ran intensive programming leading up to the elections, working with candidates, organized political groups and civil society organizations with a special focus on women candidates.
Kuwait
In May 2005, Kuwaiti women were finally granted the right to vote and stand for office, and the opportunity for women to exercise their new political rights arrived far earlier than expected when parliamentary snap elections were called for June 2006. Consequently, NDI initiated a candidate and campaign training program for women in addition to a comprehensive voter education program to raise women’s awareness of their voting rights. In the post-election period, NDI’s programs have focused on developing the capacity of political associations to be more representative and inclusive, with a particular emphasis on women and youth, and supporting women and youth activist engagement in the inter-election period.
Political Context
Increasing Women’s Political Participation
Developing Representative and Inclusive Political Bodies
Preparing Political Associations for Elections
Regional Initiatives
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