Women join the defense forces in diversified achievements

08/03/2026

KUWAIT CITY, March 8: Kuwait joined the international community on Sunday in celebrating International Women’s Day, adopted by the United Nations in 1975, in recognition of women’s struggles, achievements and vital role in advancing societies and promoting equality while rejecting all forms of discrimination. Observed annually on March 8, the occasion renews appreciation for women’s valuable contributions worldwide and highlights their pioneering role in the progress and prosperity of communities.

This year’s theme, “Rights, Equality, Empowerment for All Women and Girls,” underscores the need for decisive measures to dismantle barriers to equal justice, including discriminatory laws, weak legal protections, harmful practices and social norms that undermine the rights of women and girls. Women’s rights are regarded as a key indicator of national progress, and Kuwait places importance on advancing women’s status locally and internationally by backing UN and global initiatives to empower women and strengthen their role.

Kuwait’s efforts are aligned with Article 29 of the Constitution, the national development blueprint New Kuwait 2035 and the fifth goal of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. The State has witnessed notable achievements by Kuwaiti women across various fields, with women assuming leading positions in government and public institutions. The current Cabinet includes three female ministers, Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila, and Minister of State for Development and Sustainability Affairs Dr. Reem Al-Fulaij.

In February 2025, an Amiri decree appointed Dr. Dina Al-Mailem as Director of Kuwait University at the rank of Undersecretary for a four-year term, while Abeer Al-Awadhi was appointed head of the National Cybersecurity Center for the same period. Further appointments in 2025 included Mona Al-Mutairi as Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Dr. Dalal Al-Othman as Director-General of the Public Authority for Disability Affairs, Manal Al-Asfour as Director-General of Kuwait Municipality, and Rabab Al-Osaimi as Director-General of the Public Authority for Manpower, all at the rank of Undersecretary.

In 2024, four women were appointed as public prosecutors for the first time in Kuwait’s history, bringing the number of female prosecutors to around 88, in addition to 19 Kuwaiti female judges. In the security sector, 19 women were appointed to the Amiri Guard for the first time, while more than 900 Kuwaiti women serve in the police force. Kuwait has also adopted initiatives supporting women’s advanced rights in the region, becoming the first Gulf country to launch a women’s empowerment initiative in the private sector and a pioneer in implementing the regional “Waraqati” project aimed at strengthening women’s legal rights.

In March 2025, Kuwait officially amended the Personal Status Law (No. 10 of 2025), raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 in line with the Child Protection Law. The country has also ratified several international conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Kuwait continues to cooperate closely with the United Nations and other regional and international organizations to enhance women’s capacities and promote their effective participation in achieving development goals and implementing programs related to their rights.(KUNA)