Historic vote: Kuwaiti women get full political rights
Kuwait, Politics, 5/17/2005

The Kuwaiti women achieved a qualitative leap in enjoying their rights becoming able to practice full political rights through taking part in the elections as a voter and a candidate, alike.

Rights of the Kuwaiti woman has been reinforced by the decision adopted on Monday by the Kuwaiti Nation Council (the parliament) with a majority described as historic offering the Kuwaiti women their full election rights to vote and be elected to public office.

The parliament ratified this decision which was the subject of discussion in the Kuwaiti society for years, at 25 votes for 23 opposition while one parliamentarian abstained from voting.

When the speaker of the parliament announced approving the amendment, applause was heard by the attendees including women at the parliament's hall.

The Kuwaiti prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah expressed his congratulations to the Kuwaiti women over getting their political rights, announcing he intends to appoint a woman in the government very soon.

After announcing the results of the voting, Kuwaiti women started to chant slogans commending the decision. Roula Dishti, a known activist in the field of woman rights said "we have achieved what we want .. it is a historical decision," adding "our target is the parliamentary elections in 2007.. I will start my campaign as from today."

Previous Stories:
  Kuwait permits al-Jazeera TV to resume work   (5/12/2005)
  Kuwait's parliament fails to endorse women's participation in elections   (5/3/2005)
  Kuwaiti parliament approves woman participation in municipal elections   (4/20/2005)
  Kuwait: Shiite reject having their mosques monitored   (3/16/2005)

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