Alia Al Khaled celebrates with her supporters following her victory in Kuwait's parliamentary election. AFP
Alia Al Khaled celebrates with her supporters following her victory in Kuwait's parliamentary election. AFP
Alia Al Khaled celebrates with her supporters following her victory in Kuwait's parliamentary election. AFP
Alia Al Khaled celebrates with her supporters following her victory in Kuwait's parliamentary election. AFP

Gulf

Women return to Kuwait parliament for first time since 2020

Twenty-two women stood for office in Thursday's election

The National

September 30, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Women have returned to Kuwait's Parliament after two years without a female MP.

Jenan Bushehri and Alia Al Khaled were elected as part of the opposition, who won the majority of seats in the election on Thursday. Twenty-two women stood for office, out of 305 candidates.

The two are the first women to sit in Parliament since Safa Al Hashem lost her seat in 2020.

Of the 50 seats up for election, 28 were won by opposition candidates as 20 former MPs were ousted, including three former ministers.

Kuwait has never had more than four women MPs in office at the same time.

The elections had been hailed as "democracy's wedding" and a chance for real change to take place.

Kuwaitis queue up at a school turned into a polling station to vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City on September 29, 2022. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
Kuwaitis queue up at a school turned into a polling station to vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City on September 29, 2022. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
Kuwaitis queue up outside a polling station to vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
Kuwaitis queue up outside a polling station to vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
Kuwaitis queue up outside a polling station to vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
Kuwaitis queue up outside a polling station to vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A Kuwaiti man casts his vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A Kuwaiti man casts his vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A Kuwaiti man casts his vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A Kuwaiti man casts his vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A Kuwaiti woman casts her vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A Kuwaiti woman casts her vote during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A woman votes during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters
A woman votes during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters
Kuwaiti women cast their votes during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
Kuwaiti women cast their votes during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City. Kuwait is holding its most inclusive elections in a decade, with some opposition groups ending a boycott after the country's royal rulers pledged not to interfere with Parliament. AFP
A woman votes during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters
A woman votes during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters
People wait in line to vote during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters
People wait in line to vote during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters
A man votes during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters
A man votes during parliamentary elections at a polling station in Kuwait City. Reuters

Voters had voiced hopes for more women MPs. Kuwaiti women earned the right to vote in 2005 and have been active both in Cabinet and parliament.

Kuwait appointed four women to its municipal council for the first time in June, setting a "historic precedent".

Kuwait's parliament is the most powerful elected body in a Gulf state.

The country's National Assembly enjoys legislative power, and politicians have been known to challenge the government on issues.

The government recently launched a campaign against voter manipulation, boosting public faith in the electoral process.

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

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Updated: September 30, 2022, 11:12 AM`
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