Four Women Win in Kuwaiti Elections

The first ever success of women candidates in a Kuwait election brought unexpected drama to the polls on May 16th.

The four women MPs are among 21 newcomers to the 50-seat National Assembly, with the high level of churn appearing to reflect voter discontent with the obstructive approach of parliament in recent times, which has led to repeated dissolutions and three elections in as many years.

Four female members of parliament (MPs) managed to break an all-male political barrier and successfully upstaged opponents who forcefully campaigned against female participation.

That all four hold PhDs, have a formidable reputation for professionalism and now represent a proportion of the population that makes up more than 54% of eligible voters, points to a radical shift in opinion across Kuwait’s once stratified society.