Aseel al-Awadhi in the Kuwait National Assembly on 31 May 2009 / Kuwait-Ra'ed Qutena

This research project seeks to understand the structural, political and gender-related obstacles facing: (1) female candidates seeking election to the Kuwaiti National Assembly, and (2) those female politicians who do get elected when trying to influence the legislative process and the governmental oversight. Relatedly, it also seeks to understand the opportunities in place to overcome these obstacles and how female parliamentarians’ influence in improving the legislative and governmental processes can be operationalized. The project will study the perspectives, plans and actions of past and present female politicians (candidates, MPs and ministers) seeking to improve the Kuwaiti parliamentary system and to understand Kuwaiti women’s perceptions of the obstacles they face. Through this study, this project will develop a rigorous evidence-based study and generate policy recommendations for Kuwaiti male and female political actors and civil society organisations.