Celebrating women’s achievements across all fields on International Women’s Day
The world marks on March 8th International Women’s Day, an occasion first adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 1975 to recognize women’s struggles, celebrate their achievements, and their essential role in developing societies, promoting equality, and rejecting all forms of discrimination.
This year’s theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a future where no one is left behind.
This year also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most progressive global blueprint for advancing women’s rights.
Kuwait places significant importance on women’s rights, actively raising awareness of their societal role and implementing decisions that strengthen their status both locally and internationally, by supporting numerous legislative initiatives at the UN and other international forums to empower women and enhance their position in society.
Global indicators reflect Kuwait’s progress in women’s empowerment, according to the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security, Kuwait advanced from 123rd to 61st place among 177 evaluated countries, and Kuwait has improved by 10 points in the Global Gender Gap Index.
Kuwait integrates women’s empowerment into government policies and national plans, aligning its efforts with Article 29 of the Constitution, the New Kuwait Vision 2035, and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and empowering women.
Article 29 of the Constitution of Kuwait states: “All people are equal in human dignity, and in public rights and duties before the law, without distinction as to race, origin, language or religion.” Kuwaiti women have played a pioneering role in the country’s development across various fields with the recognition of their political rights in 2005, reflecting the leadership’s firm belief in their crucial role as an integral part of society.
Women in Kuwait have made significant contributions in all sectors, assuming leadership positions across government and industry, and by 2023, women held 28 percent of leadership positions in state institutions, with increasing representation in law enforcement, the oil industry, the judiciary, and diplomacy.
In 2024, four female directors were appointed in the Public Prosecution Office, bringing the total number of female prosecutors to 88, alongside 19 female judges.
In the security sector, 19 women joined the National Guard for the first time in Kuwait’s history, while the number of female police officers surpassed 900.
Women have also made significant strides in the economic sector, they occupy 41 percent of leadership positions at the Central Bank of Kuwait, and 35 percent in the banking sector.
In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 144 female diplomats now represent 22 percent of the diplomatic workforce, while 54 percent of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation employees are women.
Kuwait has taken pioneering initiatives to support women’s rights in the region, Kuwait was the first Gulf country to implement a regional project, known as “Waraqati”, which aims at promote women rights and empower them legally.
Kuwait has ratified several international conventions on women’s rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Kuwait also works closely with the UN, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and other international and regional organizations to develop women’s capabilities and ensure their active role in achieving development goals.
Source: KUNA
