Six public benefit societies have jointly called for an end to tampering with the rights of Kuwaiti women. These associations are critical of certain theses presented in the National Assembly that appear to be hostile towards the progress of Kuwaiti women and their civil liberties. They note that some deputies seem to prioritize personal matters while neglecting crucial national issues.
In a statement received by Al-Qabas daily, the associations express their deep concern about the developments within the National Assembly that pose a threat to the achievements of Kuwaiti women and their freedoms. Specifically, they highlight the proposed draft law for the establishment of the General Elections Commission, where Article 16 requires women to adhere to specific rules and provisions.
They argue that this contradicts Article 35 of the Constitution, which guarantees absolute freedom of belief and the right to practice religious rituals according to customs. Furthermore, they mention the ruling of the Constitutional Court in 2009, which upheld the constitution’s rejection of such restrictive and conflicting ideas.
They assert that the essence of Kuwait’s constitution is rooted in the openness of Kuwaiti society, empowering women and respecting their choices. Consequently, they demand a thorough review of the draft law and the elimination of Article 16 from it.
The associations go on to express their objections to some members’ proposal to prohibit women from serving as judges, citing Sharia’s alleged prohibition of women’s guardianship. They argue that the modern judiciary has evolved beyond individual guardianship and now operates within an institutional framework, making the religious prohibition of women’s judicial positions irrelevant. They stress that this issue has already been resolved, and many qualified women currently hold the role of judges. Thus, they urge the rejection of any further discussion on this matter.
Moreover, the public benefit societies argue that Kuwaiti women should not be continuously engaged in struggles to obtain even the most basic rights and then have to fight again to preserve those achievements. They condemn certain members of the National Assembly who focus on curtailing personal freedoms, introducing irrelevant matters for discussion, such as regulations on plastic surgery and tattoos, contrary to Article 30 of the Constitution, which guarantees personal freedom.
The signatory associations to the statement are as follows:
— Women’s Social Cultural Association
— Kuwait Alumni Association
— Kuwaiti Social Association
— Development Entrepreneurship Association
— Kuwaiti Society for National Fraternity
— National Association for Family Safety
Meanwhile, the Sami Al-Munaees Cultural Forum strongly opposes any attempt to undermine the constitutional and political rights of Kuwaiti women, considering it unacceptable. In its statement to Al-Qabas, the forum emphasized that electoral reforms should not be achieved by sacrificing the constitutional rights of voters.
The forum recognizes that electoral processes can undergo reform and modernization in terms of frameworks, systems, institutions, plans, administration, and operations.
However, they insist that citizens must adhere to constitutional controls and rights and not backtrack on the gains that have expanded political participation.
Regarding the government draft law on the elections of National Assembly members and the establishment of the General Elections Commission, the forum highlights Article 16, which requires women to comply with the rules and provisions of Islamic law to exercise their voting and candidacy rights.
The forum points out that since 1973, Kuwaiti women have had equal rights to participate in elections as both candidates and voters. Thus, they strongly oppose any move to roll back these rights.
The forum calls for civil society organizations, especially those supporting women’s and societal issues, and political groups to raise their objections to the law. They emphasize that silence on this matter may be interpreted as endorsing the exclusion of Kuwaiti women from their constitutional and political rights, which they view as an unacceptable act of apostasy.
