Sheikha Latifa urges broad contribution to Kuwait's Women Day activities

KUWAIT, April 18 (KUNA) -- Cabinet's Women Affairs Committee Chairwoman Sheikha Latifa Al-Fahad Al-Salem Al-Sabah called on Monday for a wide contribution from individuals and institutions in activities to mark the first Kuwait's Women Day, slated for May 16.
In statements during in a meeting of the Committee's consultative board to review the latest preparations for the event, Sheikha Latifa underlined the importance of women associations, government and non-government organizations and the private sector's participation in the activities.
She hoped the event would signal the start of a new era for women empowerment and increasing their contributions to state building and society development.
Sheikha Latifa said that this celebration shows the state political leadership's support to women as effective partners in state building.
She stressed the need to make the best use of the event to help achieve more gains for Kuwaiti women.
Kuwaiti cabinet declared, last June, the annual celebration of Kuwaiti Women's Day on May 16, upon a proposal presented by the committee for women's affairs.
The cabinet also instructed all official institutions should provide all forms of support to consolidate the status of Kuwaiti women at all levels and to boost their role within the community in order to reach an outstanding local, regional and international status.
May 16 has been celebrated by Kuwaiti women and the supporters of their political rights as a breakthrough in the northern Arabian Gulf country after parliament in 2005 voted 35-23 and passed a bill that gave women the right to vote and to stand as candidates in the legislative and municipal elections. (end) mrf.ibi