Kuwait/Regional

Women activists in Kuwait celebrated on 16 May the first anniversary of the decree promulgated by Prince Jaber Ahmed al Sabbah granting women their full political rights as citizens. The decree which has now become a historical landmark in the struggle for women's rights in Kuwait was to be turned down by the local parliament by a slight majority of 2 votes! On this occasion, Prince Jaber was presented by a petition of 18,000 signatures thanking him for his decision and urging him to pursue the struggle for women's rights. 
To be reminded that the campaign launched by Kuwaiti women for their political rights remains as active as ever. Women activists have sued the Ministry of Interior for not allowing them to register on a parallel voters' registry. Five cases were taken to the administrative court in an attempt to push the issue forward to the high constitutional court. Of these, one case was referred to the high constitutional court which women activist expect will reject the parliamentary decision of last November as being unconstitutional. This is the first time that the issue of women's political rights in Kuwait has become so highly visible mostly due to the unrelentless efforts of women activists and supporters of women's rights.
The Federation of Kuwaiti Women Associations organized a conference in solidarity with the population of South Lebanon. This event which was attended by a number of political and NGOs representatives in both Kuwait and Lebanon marked the concrete concern of Kuwaiti women with the chronic and increasing hardship facing the destitute population in South Lebanon. 

Bahrain/Regional

Bahrain has declared that its next consultative council will be formed following an electoral process (rather than nominations) upon the coming to term of the present council in 1994. Meanwhile, official sources expect that new members will be nominated to the present council including women. 

Oman/Regional

The Omani Ministry of Interior has urged women to participate in the forthcoming elections of the consultative council as both voters and candidates. To be reminded that during the previous elections of the council, only 27 of the 736 candidates were women. Two of these were to be elected into the previous council. The government expects a higher female participation this year. Women in Oman succeeded in winning their political rights in 1997.

Saudi Arabia/Regional

In a televised interview with women students of the Faculty of Education, the Saudi Minister of Interior has indicated that the Saudi government will seek to provide equal rights for working women notably in relation to early retirement age, maternity leave, and the issuing of an individual ID card. The Minister also urged families to take responsibilities in educating girls in an effort to address growing social problems notably in relation to consumption of drugs. On the issue of allowing Saudi women to drive, the Minister indicated that the Saudi society has yet to accept this matter. Meanwhile, a proposal for decreasing the age of retirement for working women has been put forward by the higher council for the education of girls for discussion by the Consultative Council. The proposal is being put forward within the framework of a review of the work and employment conditions of women.
Sixty women are expected to attend the meeting of the Saudi Consultative Council which will be held on 30 May 2000. This is the second time that women are allowed to attend the meetings of the council. However, their attendance will be in their capacity as observers and will not automatically allow them to take part in the Council's discussions.

Qatar/Regional

The religious courts in Qatar have started adopting on a one year trial basis a new personal status code. This code is unprecedented and includes 318 clauses dealing with the issues of marriage, divorce, alimony, child custody and inheritance as well as issues related to children of unknown parents. Explanatory notes and guidelines are expected to be published in order to facilitate the implementation of the code which appears to have been prepared within the framework of various consultative processes. The code regulates the arbitrary forms of divorce undertaken so far by men and acknowledges the principle of women's right to divorce.
A seminar on the "Role of women in the Media in Gulf Countries" was organised in Qatar and focused on the challenges facing the participation of women in that sector. Participants from all the gulf countries discussed strategies to overcome these obstacles as well as the problems linked to what is known as the "feminine media" which was felt to be reiterating conventional images of feminity. 

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MACMAG GLIP, POB 165302, Beirut/Lebanon

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