Kuwait Elects First Woman MP

For the first time in Kuwait’s history, a woman has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament. On Monday, rights activist and U.S.-educated political science teacher, Massouma al-Mubarak was appointed as planning minister and minister of state for administrative development affairs. “It's a great day for Kuwaiti women who have struggled and persevered persistently to gain their full political rights,'' Mubarak, 57, told parliament after being sworn in. She went on to state, “In my name and in the name of Kuwait's women ... we greatly appreciate the honest efforts exerted in support of the legitimate demands of Kuwaiti women.” Despite protests from conservatives claiming that al-Mubarak’s appointment is unconstitutional because she was not a registered voter, the Kuwait government honored her appointment based on the newly enacted legislation that granted Kuwaiti women the right to vote. “The historic legislation giving women the right to vote and to stand in elections was passed too late for women to vote in Kuwait's June 2 municipal polls, but they will be able to take part in 2007 parliamentary elections. Kuwait was the first Gulf state to have an elected parliament, but Kuwaiti women have been fighting for political rights for more than 40 years.” It's instances like this wherein the need for sustained political and social struggle becomes clear to me. Congratulations to the efforts and successes of the Kuwaiti women. From the NY Times.