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| Today: 09 February 2010 Time: 10:30 PM |
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| US First Lady briefed about challenges facing Kuwaiti women |
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| Society 10/24/2007 4:16:00 PM |
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| US First Lady Laura Bush at the "diwaniya" of Education Undersecretary Sheikha Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah. |
By Eman Al-Awadhi (with photos) KUWAIT, Oct 24 (KUNA) -- US First Lady Laura Bush discussed challenges faced by women in Kuwait Wednesday at the "diwaniya" of Education Undersecretary Sheikha Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah.
Following her arrival at Ali Al-Salem Airbase, where she was welcomed by Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nouriya Al-Subeeh, the First Lady met with a number of women activists and former female candidates that ran in the June 2006 parliamentary elections.
Sheikha Rasha welcomed Mrs. Bush, saying that she was "delighted" to have the First Lady at this diwaniya, the first in Kuwait to break the "men-only" tradition and bring together men and women.
"We know that Mrs. Bush is eager to hear from us the challenges that Kuwaiti women face, which is why we have restricted today's meeting to women only," she explained.
To begin the session, the 15-minutes documentary "A Storm from the South" by director Walid Al-Awadhi was screened. The film follows the election campaigns of three Kuwaiti women: Nabila Al-Anjiri, Laila Al-Rashid, and Rola Dashti. During the session, moderated by Sheikha Rasha, the attending women discussed a host of issues, including their experiences in political campaigns and social activism in Kuwait. They talked about lessons learnt and new strategies for the 2010 elections.
On her part, Mrs. Bush talked about her own experience as part of the presidential campaign team, her participation in former campaigns, and how she successfully advocated for programs she believed were important such as health and education issues.
Among the participants were former minister Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak, candidates Aisha Al-Rushaid, Laila Al-Rashid and Nabila Al-Anjiri, as well as a number of female professors, leaders and activists.
Also at the session was Minister Al-Subeeh and US Charge d'Affaires Alan Misenheimer.
Kuwaiti women attained their political right in May 2005 and participated in parliamentary elections for the first time in June 2006. Although none of the female candidates won parliament seats, so far the cabinet has seen the appointment of two female ministers : former Health Minister Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak who resigned in late August, and Minister Al-Subeeh. (end) ema.bz.
KUNA 241616 Oct 07NNNN
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