Kuwait: Women's Empowerment and Participation in Decision-Making a Priority

Kuwait has reaffirmed that empowering women and enhancing their participation in decision-making constitute a national priority and a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development, noting its continued expansion of women’s involvement in decision-making positions and in the diplomatic, judicial, military, security, and scientific sectors. This was stated in Kuwait’s address delivered by Second Secretary of its Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Wafaa Al-Mulla, before the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, which deals with social, humanitarian, and cultural affairs, during the discussion of the agenda item “Advancement of Women.”

Al-Mulla reported that 2026 witnessed several important developments in this field, including an increase in the number of female judges and public prosecutors to 122 women, the appointment of the first female Deputy Minister of Justice in the history of the State of Kuwait, and the graduation of the first cohort of female officers from the General Fireforce’s women’s component. She emphasized that these developments reflect the special importance Kuwait attaches to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and the ongoing expansion of Kuwaiti women’s participation in the country’s institutions.

Al-Mulla noted that the National Committee for the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 continues its efforts to raise awareness and build the capacities of relevant national entities, including the Ministries of Defense and Interior, as well as security and judicial bodies. She added that Kuwait, in cooperation with the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), is working on preparing the national plan for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325, reflecting a transition from the awareness-raising and capacity-building phase to strengthening implementation, monitoring, and follow-up tools.

Regarding the protection of women from violence, Al-Mulla clarified that Law-Decree No. 11 of 2026 on Protection from Domestic Violence was issued this year, alongside the adoption of the regulatory framework for the shelter center for abused women and the launch of the government’s Family Protection Program for the period 2026–2029. She pointed out that these steps strengthen the system of prevention, protection, support, and rehabilitation, stressing that women’s empowerment cannot be achieved without providing adequate protection for women and girls from all forms of violence.

She affirmed that advancing women’s status “is not complete merely by expanding their participation opportunities, but by consolidating their presence as essential partners in decision-making, policy formulation, peacebuilding, and development.” She noted that the country will continue to translate progress into sustainable institutional measures that open broader horizons for women’s leadership and participation, while safeguarding their rights and dignity. She concluded that “women’s empowerment is not an end separate from the development process, but a condition for its success; and women’s full participation is not a choice, but a necessity for building a future that is safer, more just, and more prosperous for all.”