Kuwait

Former MP and First Constituency candidate, Yousef Al-Zalzalah says he will put on top of his priority demands of Kuwaiti women as part of his parliamentary work program when he wins a seat in the Parliament.

In a press statement, Al-Zalzalah said he will nominate himself for a post in the Parliamentary Women and Family Affairs Committee and make the committee’s priority to focus on the women’s social and civil rights law that was rejected by the former government.

“The Kuwaiti woman remains unfairly deprived of leadership positions in the country even though the Constitution has equated between men and women,” said fifth constituency candidate Saleh Mohawish.

Women political activists say they feel proud of Kuwaiti women entering judicial circles following a decision to appoint them in position of Public Prosecutors and judges.
They consider this a victory for women who until lately had been marginalized in a male dominated society, something which contradicted the reality when the Kuwaiti women had reached leadership levels after holding the office of ministers and being elected Members of Parliament in addition to other positions.

The presence of women in decision-making bodies in the Arab world is increasing. Fatema Murad Al-Kandari highlighted the efforts of the government and non-government organizations to empower the Kuwaiti women and promote their roles in the social life.
For more infromation, visit http://www.lexpressiondz.com/T20070321/ZA4-7.htm .

Kuwait's education minister took the oath of office, despite the interruptions from Muslim fundamentalist lawmakers. Nouria al-Sbeih became the country's second female member of Cabinet.
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The Kuwaiti Parliament unanimously passed a law earlier this week to restrict women's rights by restricting the hours that women are allowed to work. Women will be banned from working between 8:00 pm and 7:00 am with an exception only for women working in the medical profession.
For more information, please visit the Feminist Majority's Website.

Iraqi Kurdistan's parliament is challenging social and religious tradition by considering legislation that would officially ban polygamy in this northern region, in a move that has divided some Kurdish political leaders and women's groups.
For the full article, please visit the Institute for War and Peace Reporting's Website