Kuwait women hail Saudi suffrage grant to women

Eminent Kuwaiti women have applauded the decision by the Saudi King to grant women of the Kingdom political rights, affirming that it underlined the Monarch's sagacious policy of reforms. Dr Moudhi Al-Humoud, the former minister of education and business management professor at Kuwait University (KU), praised the initiative, declared by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, granting women the right to vote and to be nominated in the country's Shura Council elections. Saudi women have proven that they are eligible for such a privilege, for they have been playing effective roles at the local, regional and international levels," said Dr Al-Humoud in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), following the King's declaration on Sunday. "This announcement will pave the way for Saudi women to take part in the decision-making process that affect their livelihood and society," she said. Jinan Boushehri, member of the Municipal Council, said the Saudi King's initiative was the latest in a series of eventful steps that had been taken by the Monarch regarding reforms, development in economic, social and cultural sectors. "This is an achievement in the record not only of that of the Saudi women, but also for the women of the Arab and Muslim nations," Boushehri added. "The Saudi women have been skillfully working in the academic, medical, diplomatic, cultural, literary and humanitarian fields, she added. For her part, Aisha Al-Rushaid, a prominent political activist, congratulated the Saudi women on this great accomplishment and hailed the step, taken by the Monarch "who has proven that he is a supporter not only to the women of Saudi Arabia, but also of the Gulf, Arab and Muslim countries." The era of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz has been distinguished with a chain of accomplishments for the Saudi women, she said, noting that in 2005, Nora Al-Fayez was the first Saudi woman to be named assistant minister. Dr Hailah Al-Muakimi, a professor of political sciences at the KU, said the declaration affirmed the wise approach of the King at the level of reforms. "Increasing the number of Saudi citizens in the decision-making process for development, with inclusion of the effective and educated segments of the society, will enrich the Saudi society further," she said. Najlaa Al-Naqi, a state attorney at the Department of Fatwa and Legislation, expressed hope the King's move would pave the path for Saudi women to ser ve as ministers. The Saudi woman is qualified to play various roles and the declaration by King Abdullah reflected maturity of the Saudi woman, as well as the intellectual brightness of the Monarch, who has grasped the global changes and developments," said Al-Naqi, noting that King Abdullah had built a new university accommodating both genders and encouraged the females to get engaged in the business sector. Kawthar Al-Joaan, the head of the Woman Institute for Development and Training, said she was heartened with the Ki ng's initiative, noting that King Abdullah opted to react to those who have been misinterpreting some religious principles.