Kuwaiti women casting her vote The victory of the pro-government candidate Mohammad al-Juwaihel, until recently unfavourably viewed by Kuwaiti tribes to the point of enmity, was one of the biggest shocks of Kuwait's recent internationally praised elections. Al-Juwaihel had earlier insulted the tribes publicly and young tribal members burned his office earlier in the week, while also attacking a television network that was hosting another candidate close to the Al-Juwaihel.
A team of Arab and international observers however praised the Kuwaiti Ministries of Justice and Interior for the smooth organisation of the elections.
In other news, the Kuwaiti woman went away empty-handed in the recent parliament elections. Female candidates failed to get any seats, compared to four seats claimed in 2009 elections, which represents about 8 per cent of the total votes.
The setback for women is disappointing in spite of the adoption of laws that grant women political rights they was deprived from when all Kuwaiti MPs were male.
Kuwaiti society still opposes, to a large extent, women's presence in politics. Only 24 female candidates compared to 263 males competed for 50 parliamentary seats. The 2009 elections were the first time in which women entered the parliament, winning four seats. Kuwaiti women did not claim the right to vote and stand as candidates in elections until 2005.