Amiri Decrees mark historic rise of Kuwaiti women to senior state leadership
Amiri Decree No. 232 of 2025 was issued on Sunday, appointing Manal Al-Asfour as Director General of Kuwait Municipality with the rank of undersecretary. In the same context, Amiri Decree No. 233 of 2025 appointed Rabab Al-Osaimi as Director General of the Public Authority for Manpower, also with the rank of undersecretary.
With Al-Asfour and Al-Osaimi assuming their new responsibilities, Kuwaiti women continue to affirm their competence and the political leadership’s confidence in their ability to hold senior leadership positions and actively contribute to national development across political, economic and social sectors, reports Al-Rai daily.
Since obtaining full political rights in 2005, Kuwaiti women have recorded notable achievements that reflect their efficiency, determination and professionalism.
These successes come in line with the support of the political leadership and the “Kuwait Vision 2035,” which places women’s empowerment at the heart of sustainable development.
Such accomplishments are the result of sustained efforts and institutional backing, including the launch of the “Kuwaiti Women Leaders for Change” platform in 2024, which aims to facilitate the selection of qualified women for leadership roles. Despite challenges, Kuwaiti women have proven to be indispensable partners in development and a cornerstone of the country’s future prosperity.
Manal Al-Asfour had been appointed Director General of Kuwait Municipality on October 21, 2024. She is regarded as one of the municipality’s most prominent leaders, having held several senior posts, including Deputy Director General for Urban Planning and Structural Plan Affairs and Deputy Director General for the Planning Sector from late 2022.
She was promoted to Deputy Director of the Municipality on August 9, 2023, and is a member of the Supreme Committee for Public-Private Partnership Projects. Al-Asfour is the first woman to hold the position of Director General of Kuwait Municipality.
Rabab Al-Osaimi assumed leadership of the Public Authority for Manpower on September 8, 2025, following her appointment by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef. She is the first woman to head the Authority.
Previously, she served as Acting Deputy Director General for Development and Administrative Planning since 2023 and as Director of the Information Technology Department.
Throughout her career at the Authority, Al-Osaimi advanced through various positions, demonstrating her capability in managing workforce affairs and overcoming operational challenges.
She has received commendations from professional unions and federations for her role in improving performance and advancing electronic transformation through the “As’hal” system.
Her efforts also contributed to streamlining procedures for renewing and transferring workers, enhancing inspection mechanisms, and strengthening measures to combat human trafficking in order to safeguard Kuwait’s reputation and uphold human rights.
In parallel, Amiri Decree No. 231 of 2025 promoted Brigadier Abdulwahab Al-Wahib to the rank of Major General and appointed him as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior.
Additionally, Amiri Decree No. 233 of 2025 appointed Abdul Latif Faisal Al-Fawzan and Nasser Al-Humaidi Al-Mutairi as Deputy Directors General of the Public Authority for Manpower with the rank of Assistant Undersecretary.
Amiri Decree No. 234 of 2025 also appointed Dr. Faisal Al-Adwani and Saadoun Buarki as Assistant Undersecretaries at the Ministry of Higher Education.
