DOHA: Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs, Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah, on Wednesday lauded Kuwaiti women for their pioneering role across various sectors, attributing their achievements to “wise leadership, a rich history of social and civic engagement, and boundless, ever-renewing ambition across generations.” Her remarks were delivered during the high-level side event “Women at the Heart of Development: From Empowerment to Influence”, organized by the Sultanate of Oman in partnership with Kuwait and the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha.
Dr Al-Huwailah highlighted Kuwaiti women as a model for transitioning from empowerment to influence. She noted their significant contributions as parliamentarians, ministers, university presidents, writers, artists, historians, media professionals, and sports figures. She also emphasized their achievements in medicine, surgery, nuclear medicine, neurology, technology, space studies, physics, engineering, cybersecurity, and IT, alongside recognition on Forbes’ list of the most influential women in finance and business.
The minister praised Kuwaiti women for their active engagement in humanitarian, volunteer, and relief work, human rights advocacy, community development, and their recent accomplishments in police, military, defense, and judicial sectors. “The participation of women is no longer a supplementary option or a response to international requirements, but a fundamental condition for achieving social justice and economic advancement,” she said. She added that Kuwait’s policies over recent decades have empowered women educationally, economically, politically, and in health, yielding tangible results.
Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Duaij Al-Sabah are pictured during the side event. – KUNA photos
She called for advancing to the next stage: enabling women to create sustainable impact through active participation in shaping inclusive policies that promote justice, equality and sustainable development. Dr Al-Huwailah commended Oman for selecting the theme “Women at the Heart of Development”, stating it underscores the central role of women in societal progress and encourages moving from empowerment to influence and transformative leadership. She concluded by emphasizing that true development is achieved when empowerment and influence work hand in hand, expressing gratitude to Oman for the invitation and Qatar for hosting the summit at world-class standards.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi highlighted the pivotal role of Gulf women in economic, social, and family spheres, noting the adoption of the Joint Gulf Action Strategy for Women’s Affairs (2024–2030) to reinforce women’s participation. He cited statistics showing that women now constitute over 40 percent of public sector employees, more than 39 percent in the private sector, and over 41 percent of academic staff across GCC states. Women also hold around 49 percent of senior public sector positions, 31 percent of private sector senior management roles, and up to 41 percent of ambassadorial posts in some GCC countries.
Qatari Minister of Social Development and Family, Buthaina Al-Nuaimi, described the summit as a key platform for reaffirming commitment to social justice and human dignity, stressing that sustainable development requires women’s active participation in decision-making, entrepreneurship, and access to education, health, and social protection. Omani Minister of Social Development, Laila Al-Najjar, highlighted women’s empowerment as an integrated path toward positive societal transformation, noting the Sultanate’s focus under His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to ensure women are active partners in Oman’s renewed renaissance. The event underscored the GCC’s ongoing commitment to advancing women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable development across the region. — KUNA
