KUWAIT CITTY, Nov 26, (KUNA): Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Planning and Development Affairs Hind Al- Sabeeh said Kuwaiti women rights have been remarkably improving in the past years. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Al-Sabeeh said that the government and National Assembly are eager on furthering and protecting Kuwaiti women rights.

She pointed out that the state development plan includes a number of ambitious projects and programs to support Kuwaiti female entrepreneurs. Al-Sabeeh said that the UN-approved Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 call for ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all; inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities as well.

For her part, the new UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Kuwait Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun said violence against women is alarmingly rife across the globe.

This requires a strong partnership between government and non-government organizations to address the root causes of the problem, she stated. Benjelloun expressed admiration of the highlyskilled and qualified Kuwaiti women and girls. She hoped Kuwaiti women would help raise the awareness of the world about the phenomenon of violence against women.

In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem on that day.