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20:06 GMT
KUN0103 4 GEN 0305 KUWAIT /KUNA-OKY6
KUWAIT-WOMEN-INTERVIEW
Dr. Massouma Al-Mubarak says proud to be Kuwait's first female minister
By Shuaa Al-Qati
KUWAIT, June 12 (KUNA) -- Newly-appointed Minister of Planning and Minister
of State for Administrative Development Affairs Dr. Massouma Al-Mubarak said
on Sunday she was proud to be Kuwait's first female minister.
The Kuwait University professor was appointed minister today, in a historic
achievement for Kuwaiti women, whose practice of suffrage rights was approved
by the National Assembly (parliament) last month.
"Today is another happy day in Kuwait's history. The first was when the
National Assembly approved modifying the electoral law's first article to
allow women suffrage, and now a Kuwaiti woman becomes a minister as a fruit of
this achievement," she told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
Al-Mubarak was also the first Kuwaiti woman to disclose interest in
candidacy for parliament election, when His Highness the Amir Sheikh Jaber
Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in 1999 issued a decree on allowing women to be
involved in political life in Kuwait.
She added she was glad for occupying this post and hailed the Kuwaiti
government for fulfilling its vows of allowing women into Kuwait's
decision-making process. She also said the appointment of women in such
position would enhance Kuwait's image at international gatherings.
"I fully realize my responsibilities" she added, as she referred to the
unemployment problem in Kuwait. She also highlighted the importance of the
Planning ministry.
The freshly-named official also hoped for positive and fruitful cooperation
with Kuwait's 50-seat all-male parliament.
H.H. the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah announced
earlier today the appointment of Al-Mubarak as the first Kuwait female
minister. (end)
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