Kuwait Parliament Misunderstands Democracy for Women

The Kuwait Parliament Misunderstands Democracy for Women

With the upcoming elections in the United States approaching this November, the thought came to mind of voting rights in other countries. As an American citizen, I have lived in Kuwait for over 19 years. When I went to the U.S. Embassy to submit my absentee ballot, it came to mind that I live in a country where women are not allowed to exercise the right to vote. Women's suffrage in America took 70 years of discrimination until the 19th Amendment was passed on August 26, 1920, allowing women to vote. The suffragists undertook action through lobbying, petition gathering, lectures and writings. Kuwaiti women have been fighting for 40 years and are still fighting for the right to vote.

Kuwait is a country about the size of New Jersey and it is a very modern society by western standards. It is considered one of the richest nations in the world, since it has the third largest oil reserves. Kuwait being a social welfare state is highly developed with a free market economy. The monarchy government rules the country and has the only elected Parliament in the Persian Gulf countries. What does all this mean? Being a Kuwaiti national has its benefits, including free education from primary school to university. Statistics showed that over 70% of the total graduates at the local university are women studying engineering and medicine. Health care for Kuwaiti's is free, but for expatriates, small fees are applied to some services. Taxes are not imposed in Kuwait, and electricity is subsidized 80% by the government, so as not to burden residents. This means electricity and water are included in the rent cost, and phone service inside the country is free. Fast, expensive cars are something of the norm and shopping malls with the latest fashions from around the world are abundant.

The population of Kuwait is about 2.5 million however only 27% are Kuwaiti nationals. From this figure there are 1.5 men to every Kuwaiti woman. The voting rights for eligible Kuwaiti men who have been citizens for over 20 years are allowed to contest in elections. Presently, all Kuwaiti men having the nationality over 20 years are allowed to vote, except men in the military and police force.

Under the 1961 constitution, the following articles support equality among genders.

Article 6 provides "the system of government in Kuwait shall be democratic, under which sovereignty resides in the people, the sources of all powers."

Article 7 provides "Justice, Liberty and Equality shall be the pillars of society."

Article 8 provides "equal opportunities for citizens."

Article 29 provides "all people are equal in human d[f]ignity and public rights and duties before the law" ("Struggle").

But, Article 1 of the voting law denies women the right to vote, which is inconsistent with the constitution. Women have marched and protested demanding the right to vote, but they were not allowed to register. Many have pending cases against the government granting them political rights. The Amir, the ruler of Kuwait issued a decree in May 1999 to allow women to vote. During this time the Parliament was dissolved. In October when the new Parliament was elected, after resuming the parliamentary session in November, the agenda on allowing women the right to vote was defeated passing into law 32 to 30 votes. When asked why, the Islamic conservatives believe ". . . the entry of women into politics will cause social and political problems". Democratic oligarchy in which families express political preferences through their fathers' and husbands' votes (Prusher). The Islamists fear if women get the right to vote they would lose there stronghold in the Parliament.

There are associations that are in the forefront to push for women's rights. The "Women's Cultural and Social Society, founded in 1963, believe that the struggle for women's suffrage in Kuwait stands on firm constitutional ground: the Kuwaiti constitution's preamble proclaims devotion to "democratic rule""(Berkowitz 2). The President of the Arab Businesswomen Council, Sheika Hessa Saad Abdullah Al-Sabah, addressing an economic activities seminar in Bahrain said, "The number of Kuwaiti women in the workforce went up from 6,800 in 1980 to 49,321 in 2003" ("Huge" 6). She stressed approving women's political right to vote and run for office to develop contributions in public policies and development.

Statistics show that one third of the work forces among Kuwaiti's