First females judges in Kuwait Supreme Court

Eight women have been sworn in as judges to the Supreme Court in Kuwait. Kuwait is only the fourth Gulf country to have female judges, which makes this an historic move for women in the Arab world.

They were among 54 people appointed as judges to the Supreme Court, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

At the beginning of July, Attorney General Dirar Al Asousi approved the promotion of eight women from the prosecutor to judge, making them the first female judges in the country. They were approved by the Supreme Judicial Council in July. The judges are Fatima Al-Sagheer, Fatima Al-Kandari, Sanabel Al-Houti, Fatima Al-Farhan, Bashair Shah, Bashaer Al-Rakdan, Rawaat Al-Tabtabae, and Lulwa Al-Ghanim.

Lulwa Saleh Al Mulla, head of the Kuwaiti Women’s Cultural and Social Society, said her organization had long fought for the right of women to serve as judges.

“These appointments are heart-warming, and we believe that we are taking steps forward towards the ranks of advanced countries,” she said.

Women in Kuwait were granted the right to vote and run for political office in 2005. Four years later, the first female lawmakers were elected.

The female judges’ work will be evaluated after a period of time, said Yousef Al Matawa, chairman of Kuwait’s supreme judicial council and the court of cassation, quoted by KUNA.

Matawa did not specify how long that period of time would be.