There are many rights that Kuwaiti women lack. They still suffer from widespread doubts about their ability to work in certain professions. They are still barred from taking on jobs in the defense industry that are open to their male counterparts, such as the National Guard, the army, firefighting and emergency medical services.

We also find a lack of women’s presence on the boards of companies, institutions, corporations and social unions, as well as in senior positions in our local and national political system.

The list goes on and on: Kuwaiti women aren’t represented in municipal courts; they have no sport clubs or groups dedicated to them; the rights enshrined to them by law are far fewer than those provided to men; they have difficulty dealing with inheritance, property ownership and even with obtaining citizenship.

Kuwaiti women are more likely to be victims of domestic violence or honor killings.

On March 8 of each year, developed countries around the world celebrate International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to the achievements of women and to the laws protecting their rights.

International Women’s Day was observed for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911. It gained further momentum on March 8, 1917, when women textile workers in Russia began a demonstration and demanded “Bread and Peace” – an end to World War I, to food shortages and to tsarism.

In March 1975, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming an International Day for Women’s Rights and Peace. Since then, the day commemorates the cultural, political and socio economic achievements of women around the world.

It is my hope that this year on International Women’s Day the Kuwaiti public will embrace the tradition of celebrating women and their achievements and join the battle of eliminating the barriers experienced by women in Kuwait in all aspects of life. – Ghadeer Mohammed Asiri 

Source: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-701447