Kuwaiti women and Vision 2035; Ambitions high, but real progress still lagging

For over a decade, Kuwaiti women have been recognized as a cornerstone of the country’s economic and social development agenda. Since the launch of the first annual development plan in 2010–2011, national strategies have consistently emphasized the need to empower women and enhance their participation across all sectors — particularly in line with the goals of Kuwait Vision 2035.

These development plans set out ambitious targets such as increasing women’s participation in the workforce, supporting female entrepreneurship, and promoting women to senior leadership and decision-making roles.

The 2015–2020 Medium-Term Development Plan, in particular, highlighted women’s role in strengthening the national economy through greater support for women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs), offering legislative, financial, and logistical backing, reports Al-Jarida daily.

Despite these forward-looking goals, observers and official data indicate that tangible progress has been slow and modest. While many Kuwaiti women have excelled in diverse sectors — from education to finance to public service — their overall representation in senior leadership roles remains limited.

Government data continues to show that men dominate high-level decision-making positions in economic and development-related sectors.

The slow pace of change is attributed not only to institutional barriers but also to a lingering organizational culture that has not fully adapted to accommodate the rise of women leaders. Additionally, there remains a lack of effective policies to guide women through the later stages of their careers.

When compared to regional peers, Kuwait’s performance appears mixed. In the United Arab Emirates, for example, women make up around 66% of government sector employees, with many holding senior positions in both public and private sectors.

Saudi Arabia has also seen a dramatic rise in women’s workforce participation — from 18% in 2017 to 35% in 2022 — thanks to targeted policies and programs.

Meanwhile, Kuwait has made only marginal gains, despite having a strong base of highly qualified female professionals.

According to the recent report, “Development of Key Indicators of the Kuwaiti Economy 2010–2024,” women’s representation in senior positions remains disproportionately low. However, recent figures suggest that women now hold about 28% of senior positions, signaling the beginnings of a shift in government priorities toward gender inclusion.

Experts and observers argue that Kuwait’s development goals cannot be fully achieved without bold, decisive actions to empower women.

While the journey toward women’s economic empowerment in Kuwait has been marked by incremental progress, the gap between ambition and reality remains evident.

The true test of Kuwait’s commitment to Vision 2035 will lie in how it transforms policy into practice — ensuring that women are not just participants, but equal partners in national development.

The success of this vision will depend heavily on the government’s next steps—whether it can implement practical solutions that break down systemic barriers and fully integrate Kuwaiti women into the heart of the economic transformation.

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