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In places as diverse as Timor-Leste, Croatia, Morocco, Rwanda and South Africa, increasing numbers of women are being elected to political office. In each case, more women has meant more legislation related to anti-discrimination, domestic violence, family codes, inheritance, and child support and protection.
Author:
Ken Wollack
Publisher:
National Democratic Institute
Published Date:
06/09/2010
Resource Type:
Testimony
Language:
English
Media Type:
PDF
Copyright Information:
2010
The four women elected to Kuwait’s parliament are listed here. The vote figures are initial returns, with ranking and vote totals subject to change as results are finalized.
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.
Author:
National Democratic Institute
Publisher:
National Democratic Institute
Published Date:
01/07/2007
Resource Type:
Article
Language:
English
Author:
National Democratic Institute
Publisher:
National Democratic Institute
Published Date:
09/28/2005
Resource Type:
Press Release
Language:
English
Author:
National Democratic Institute
Publisher:
National Democratic Institute
Published Date:
10/25/2006
Resource Type:
Report
Language:
English
In May 2005, Kuwaiti women were 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. NDI continued to support women candidates, youth activists and voters ahead of early parliamentary elections in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, the third election in which women ran as candidates, four women were elected to parliament for the first time in Kuwait’s history.
In 2011, numerous corruption claims were levied in the Kuwaiti parliament, including allegations of multi-million dinar bribes paid to numerous members of parliament (MPs). As a result, the prime minister and his cabinet resigned in November 2011 amid opposition-led rallies and protests, and the emir again called for early elections in February 2012. The new National Assembly is comprises 26 new MPs (or 52 percent), with 34 of the 50 seats won by opposition candidates. However, none of the 23 women candidates, including the four incumbents, won seats.
NDI’s current programming focuses on fostering a new generation of women leaders who have the skills to participate in the political process, influence the policy debate and hold elected officials accountable on policies related to women. A mentorship program provides opportunities for university women to learn from prominent Kuwaiti women business, civic and political leaders, and internships with local civic groups and the National Assembly offer hands-on experience in the policy process.
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In May 2005, Kuwaiti women were 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. NDI continued to support women candidates, youth activists and voters ahead of early parliamentary elections in 2008 and 2009.
Author:
National Democratic Institute
Publisher:
National Democratic Institute
Published Date:
12/01/2005
Resource Type:
Report
Language:
English
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