VZCZCXRO4051
RR RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHMOS
DE RUEHKU #0925/01 0771251
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181251Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3531
INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000925 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP (DBERNS), NEA/PPD (PAGNEW, CWHITTLESEY), R, ECA 
(DPOWELL) 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: OEXC KPAO SCUL XF KU FREEDOM AGENDA
SUBJECT: FREEDOM AGENDA: EMBASSY'S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 
CELEBRATION APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENTS OF KUWAITI WOMEN 
 
¶1. Summary:  The Embassy hosted a luncheon for 50 Kuwaiti women 
leaders on Sunday, March 12, 2006, at the Ambassador's Residence in 
celebration of International Women's Day.  Comprised of high-ranking 
female Kuwaitis, the guest list included government officials, 
business executives, educators, human rights activists, writers, 
lawyers, renowned artists, presidents of two private universities, 
and journalists, as well as NGO leaders.  The garden-side luncheon 
was held to recognize women's achievements worldwide, with an 
emphasis on the political participation of American women and the 
2005 decision to grant Kuwaiti women suffrage.  Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah, 
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, member of the 
ruling family, a U.S. university graduate and a prominent academic, 
was the keynote speaker and guest of honor.  During her remarks, she 
expressed deep appreciation for U.S. support during the 40-year 
struggle for Kuwaiti women to receive full political rights and 
quipped, "If there's a hard job to be done, give it to a Kuwaiti 
woman."  End summary. 
 
Honoring Women's Triumphs 
------------------------- 
 
¶2. Fifty Kuwaiti women leaders forming a broad cross-section of 
Kuwaiti society assembled under a tent in the garden of the 
Ambassador's residence on the afternoon of March 12, 2006, to 
commemorate women's achievements in Kuwait and learn from the U.S. 
experience.  Decorated in blue and white, the tables, chairs, and 
tent matched the color scheme of the Kuwaiti women's campaign for 
full political rights.  The year 2005 had been especially 
significant to Kuwaiti women, because it epitomized their efforts to 
achieve full political participation following a prolonged struggle 
of four decades.  The Ambassador greeted guests and congratulated 
them on victories achieved in recent years.  He acknowledged Kuwaiti 
women's contributions to their country in the areas of 
democratization, development, and economic growth. 
 
Acknowledging American Women's Achievements 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3. The PAO delivered opening remarks outlining American women's 
historical and recent contributions in political, business, and 
social fields as an inspiration to women worldwide and commended 
Kuwaiti women on their newly earned victories in political and 
social arenas.  She noted, "As women, we have made our countries 
stronger and better, we have improved our communities and played a 
vital role in achieving justice and people's rights.  In the U.S., 
many notable women have helped shape our democratic society and 
served as role models for young women who came after them who wanted 
to make a difference."  She concluded saying that "in recent 
history, Dr. Condoleezza Rice took up the same torch and became 
Secretary of State in 2005.  Dr. Rice's accomplishments in both 
 
SIPDIS 
academia and public service are a testament to how far American 
women have progressed." 
 
Kuwaiti Women Deserve the Best 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4. Next, Undersecretary of Higher Education, Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah, an 
active and well-regarded graduate of Yale University, delivered a 
rousing speech.  She outlined the history of Kuwaiti women's 
struggle for equality, recommended further development of Kuwaiti 
women leaders, and called for continued political action through 
voting in the pending 2007 elections and running candidates for 
office.  She stated, "The real battle for Kuwaiti women has just 
begun and women have to begin to hone their skills in campaigning 
and to convince people that they have reached political maturity." 
Dr. Al-Sabah added, "To get our political rights is innate in our 
nature.  Kuwaiti women are present in all spheres of life, have 
proven their skills and capabilities, and thus deserve to go much 
further, because they have struggled to get their political rights." 
 The Undersecretary recounted the parliamentary rejection of the May 
16, 1999 decree by the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah 
granting women their political rights and how on the same date in 
2005 the "dream of women was realized" when Parliament approved a 
law giving women full political rights.  She further hailed the 
appointment of Kuwait's first female minster, Dr. Masouma 
Al-Mubarak.  (May 16 was the parliamentary vote.  Dr. Masouma became 
minister in June.)  She concluded by calling Kuwaiti women pioneers, 
stating, "Kuwaiti women should not settle for anything less than the 
best" and encouraged them not to accept "skimmed milk" but to go for 
"full cream," noting that Kuwaiti women deserve full equality with 
men. 
 
Joining Forces 
-------------- 
 
¶5. Invitees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet and 
observe this special day together.  One Kuwaiti guest stated, "We 
feel embarrassed that we as women, NGO leaders, and activists did 
not do this occasion justice.  However, thanks to the U.S. Embassy, 
 
KUWAIT 00000925  002 OF 002 
 
 
we were able to acknowledge and celebrate International Women's 
Day."  Other guests commented that the event was ideal for bringing 
together members of the highly segmented Kuwaiti women's movement, 
many of whom otherwise would not cross paths, due to stratification 
along family, professional, and political lines. 
 
Publicizing the Day 
------------------- 
 
¶6. The event received outstanding press coverage in all five Arabic 
and three English language Kuwaiti daily newspapers.  Articles 
featuring half-page color photos of the Ambassador, Mrs. LeBaron, 
and Dr. Al-Sabah as well as other key guests filled pages of the 
newspapers the following day.  Additional coverage was posted on the 
Embassy's Internet site and the website of the official Kuwaiti News 
Agency (KUNA).  In addition, a Kuwaiti social magazine has expressed 
interest in publishing a report about the gathering in its monthly 
publication. 
 
********************************************* * 
For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s 
 
Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ 
********************************************* * 
 
 
LEBARON