KUWAIT, 21 June 2005 — Amid noisy protests by Islamist and conservative MPs, Kuwait’s first woman member of Parliament was sworn in yesterday, only weeks after women were given the vote following a 40-year struggle for political rights.
The appointment of rights activist Massouma Al-Mubarak as planning minister and minister of state for administrative development affairs earlier this month was the latest of Kuwait’s democratic reforms.
She became a member of Parliament because all Kuwaiti Cabinet members are considered ex-officio MPs and vote along with the 50 regular parliamentarians on all major bills and legislation. “It’s a great day for Kuwaiti women who have struggled and persevered persistently to gain their full political rights,” Massouma, 57, told Parliament after being sworn in.
“In my name and in the name of Kuwait’s women ... we greatly appreciate the honest efforts exerted in support of the legitimate demands of Kuwaiti women,” she said.
Massouma’s appointment has filled a gap left by the resignation of the information minister several months ago.
Tribal and Islamist MPs, who had fiercely resisted the historic bill last month that gave women the vote, kept shouting in protest during her speech, and demanded a debate on the constitutionality of her appointment.
Under Kuwaiti law, anyone wishing to be considered for a Cabinet appointment must register on a voters’ list and the protesting MPs said Massouma had failed to do this.
Kuwait made another breakthrough earlier this month by appointing two women to its municipal council for the first time.
The historic legislation giving women the right to vote and to stand in elections was passed too late for women to vote in Kuwait’s June 2 municipal polls, but they will be able to take part in 2007 parliamentary elections.
