In 1961, Kuwait became an independent nation and was the first of the Persian Gulf states to establish a constitution as well as a parliament. Throughout the 60s and 70s, due to economic growth and state-building, Kuwait was the most developed country in the region. Women had full access to higher education and the right to campaign for broader socio-political involvement. However, despite this progress Kuwaitis were still tied to traditional norms and notably excluded gender in many articles of their constitution including Article 29, which states that “all people are equal in human dignity, and in public rights and duties before the law, without distinction as to race, origin, language or religion.” It wasn’t until 2005 that women gained the right to vote and run for elected positions, and yet only ten women have been members of parliament since their introduction to the political process. The 2021 Global Gender Gap Report, which measures economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment ranked Kuwait 143 out of 156 countries. Fortunately, there is a rich national history of women’s rights activism, and in 2020 that fight for political and social change was put on display. After a nationwide social media campaign, legislation was finally passed protecting women from domestic violence; an indication of a hopeful future for Kuwaiti women and girls.
Despite traditional gender norms and negative stereotypes, women’s sports in Kuwait have also shown great progress over the past few years. FIFA’s Forward program and the Women’s Football Committee (WFC) have been providing safe sporting facilities and playing opportunities for women and girls. The WFC developed the first-ever Women Futsal National League in Kuwait as well as hosted a series of annual festivals and activities specifically for women’s football. Women first competed in the Olympics in 2004 with Danah Al-Nasrallah competing in the 100m, and in 2020 Mudhawi Al-Shammari, the Kuwaiti national record holder in the 100m and 200m, had a strong showing in the Tokyo Games.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Kuwait:
Raba’a Al Hajeri
Najat Al Sayegh
How does Kuwait compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
5%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
13%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
Unknown
Title IX Timeline
1961
Kuwait gained independence with the end of the British protectorate.
1980
Two track and field athletes became the first women to represent Kuwait in the Paralympics, and Adelah Al-Roumi won a gold and silver medal to become the first woman from Kuwait to win a Paralympic medal.
1994
Accession of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
2004
Danah Al-Nasrallah, a track and field athlete, became the first woman to represent Kuwait in the Olympics.
2005
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage).
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
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0
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0
-
0
-
0
-
0
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0
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1
-
2
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2
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
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0
-
0
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7
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3
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6
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1
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0
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
2004
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
The first woman could be you!
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1980
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Adelah Al-Roumi: 1980, Athletics (Gold & Silver)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
2010
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
FIFA Forward and FIFA Women’s Division have partnered with Kuwait to develop the KWFL (Kuwait Women’s Futsal League) and UCC (University Championship Cup).
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
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FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
Unknown
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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