Kuwaiti
women are optimistic of winning seats next month when they contest
legislative elections for only the second time, but analysts believe their
chances are slim for lack of political support.
None of 27 female candidates who contested the previous general elections
in June 2006 was successful, but a number did make an unexpectedly strong
showing despite having little time to prepare for the polls.
"I am really very optimistic about the chances of women winning seats
in this election as political awareness has increased," Salwa
al-Jassar told AFP after registering to contest the May 17 elections for
the 50-seat parliament.
"My optimism is based on facts, not illusions," said the
US-educated activist who heads the Centre for Enabling Women and who is
standing for the first time.
Kuwaiti women won the right to vote and run for public office in a landmark
vote in the conservative Gulf state's parliament in May 2005, after a
struggle lasting more than four decades.
Since then, two women have been appointed to the oil-rich emirate's
cabinet. One, former health minister Maasuma al-Mubarak, was forced to quit
last year under pressure from Islamist MPs.
"I believe women have little chance of reaching parliament this time,
but it will be a good opportunity for them to gain much-needed political
experience," political analyst Nada al-Mutawa said.
Since these are early polls, called after the emir dissolved parliament in
March, political groups are opting for well-established veteran male
candidates, forcing women to run as independents, Mutawa told AFP.
The only exception has been the liberal National Democratic Alliance which
is fielding university professor Aseel al-Awadhi alongside seven male
candidates.
"This is certainly a good beginning for accommodating women in
politics. It will encourage other women to join the mainstream political
groups," said Mutawa, also a university professor.
Under the new system, the number of electoral districts has been reduced to
five from 25, increasing the number of voters fivefold.
Analysts believe this will make it difficult for independents to win
because candidates will need the backing of political groups or major
tribes.
Political parties are banned in Kuwait, even though several political
groups act as de facto parties.
"Independents, both men and women, will have a difficult time winning
under the new system," Mutawa said.
Although Kuwaiti women constitute 43 percent of the national workforce of
about 324,000 -- the highest proportion in any Gulf Arab state -- only a
few hold top positions in government.
Candidate and activist Abdulaziz Makki Juma believes the only way women can
win seats is through a quota system.
"I have no doubt that the only way for women to win seats is through a
quota system. They are being fought by some Islamist groups like the
Salafis and Muslim Brotherhood," he said.
"The problem also is that women voters do not vote for female
candidates," he said.
Women constitute 55 percent of the electorate, down from 58 percent in the
previous election. In 2006, official figures showed that most women voted
for men.
The number of eligible women voters is 200,500, as against 161,200 men.
This is mainly because military personnel, almost all male, are barred from
voting.
But Mutawa said the quota system is not popular in Kuwait, and candidate
Ghanima al-Haidar, contesting for the second time, said she does not
support such a system either.
"It is a failure system... Women should win on their merit and
competence and I am sure they will do so," Haidar told AFP.
Twenty-eight women signed up as candidates before registration closed on
April 23.
Women candidates have again had little time to prepare for the polls
because parliament was prematurely dissolved, as was the case in the 2006.
Candidate Sameera al-Shatti said the male mentality meant women's chances
of electoral success were slim.
Men "think that women should follow them. Local laws also give
preferential treatment to men," she said, referring to citizenship and
housing.
Some women candidates are highly qualified. Rula Dashti has a doctorate
from Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Fatima Abdali holds a
doctorate in environment studies, and Khaleda al-Khader has a doctorate in
public health.
The women candidates include lawyers, businesswomen and activists.
