Kuwait Times

Published Date: May 14, 2009

KUWAIT: A standing parliamentary seats' quota system to ensure a significant representation for women in parliament is a controversial issue in Kuwait, with critics saying female activists must earn the seats instead of occupying them without effort. The system is aimed at boosting women political participation, by granting them the legislative right to have a share of the seats on sustainable basis. Political activist Fatima Al-Nahham said that the latin word "quota" means sharing and is used to grant wo
men the opportunity to hold seats in the parliament. More than 100 countries around the world implement this system.

She believes that the quota encourages women to vote and participate in the political race, although, surprisingly Kuwaiti women still face many political obstacles, despite the fact that they have achieved high levels of expertise, in the ministerial and diplomatic sector and other domains. Al-Nahham added, the UN recommended that women "achieve 33 percent of leading roles in all countries, however, sadly, in Kuwait not even four percent has been achieved." She added Kuwaiti women are in need for it to ac
hieve some strides at this level, although women have taken big steps since achieving their political rights.

On the other hand, lawyer and political activist Najlaa Al-Naqi said, it is highly important for Kuwaiti women to set development and industrial plans, as they are as qualified as men, therefore; the quota system might help in accomplishing that. She also referred to the four types of quota, "legislative quota", "legal quota", "quota by a political resolution", and "party quota". Critics believe it is against the laws and constitutions. She also refers to the obstacles that face Kuwaiti women during electi
ons, although the presence of women in the National Assembly symbolizes democracy, as at the current time it is incomplete.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Women Development Institute Kawthar Al-Joaana, also a lawyer said that she is against the quota system to enable women to claim seats in the parliament, as the females should seek to earn these seats in elections. As in accordance with the Kuwaiti Constitution, women and men are equal, therefore in the political race both have to take the same path, without favoring one over the other, or facilitating regulations for a gender over the other.

Al-Joaan was surprised by the votes that supported implementing the quota system in Kuwait, although women have fully achieved their political rights. She added, women's political experience did not exceed three years; therefore, "we should not rush into finding other ways to guarantee parliamentary seats for women." Director of the Administrative Development Department in the Municipality, Engineer Jinan Bushihri said, "Change is required within our society, but it needs time and adjustments, like women c
laiming seats in the parliament requires time, patience and adjustments." - KUNA