UNDP Kuwait Gender and Social Development
UNDP is committed to promoting gender equality using two complementary approaches: mainstreaming gender and promoting women’s empowerment. UNDP adopted the goal of ensuring that all its activities contribute to narrowing the human development gaps between men and women, both within and beyond UNDP own offices. In UNDP Global Cooperation Framework, “gender” is a cross-cutting theme that needs to be integrated into all areas of UNDP’s work.
UNDP commitment to gender mainstreaming is in observance with international conventions and treaties in the global movement for gender equality: Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Gender equality is a development goal in its own right (MDG 3) and is critical as a means to achieve the other (MDGs).
The State of Kuwait has signed CEDAW on April 1994 with reservations on article 16 for conflicts with Islamic Law, and article 9 reservations on nationality act which determines the child nationality based on his father.
In respect of the Arab Region, though the 2005 Arab Human Development Report (AHDR) ‘Towards the Rise of Women in the Arab World’ demonstrates that overall Arab women are making important gains, they have yet to realize their full potential and continue to be denied equality of opportunity and choice in key social, economic and political areas, to varying extent affected by legislation and regulations, as well as customary law.
UN/UNDP cooperation aims to serve Kuwait national priorities through partnership with the government and the people of Kuwait following the direction decided by Kuwaitis. In this context, UNDP as an international organization capitalizes on its impartiality, neutrality, and global presence.
Current Active Projects under Gender and Social Development
2007 Gender Report
Gender Presentations
- In February 2006, the Gender Focal Point (GFP), based on Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor request, delivered a presentation on the basic principles of gender & development as promoted by UNDP.
- In 2007, the GFP received 5 requests for presentations for 5 specific events. The following presentations were delivered by the GFP:
- February 2007, Gender Violence presentation for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour.
- April 2007, UN Role on Women Empowerment - The Public Authority for Applied Education
- April 2007, Sri Lankan Embassy – Un Role on Women Empowerment
- The following presentations were delivered by UNDP gender consultants:
- March 2007, National Forum for Girls: Empowering Kuwaiti Girls – organized by The Transparency Society- UNDP arranged a mission in cooperation with CAWTAR (Centre for Arab Women Training and Research);
- May 2007, The Third Gulf Symposium on the Challenges of Gulf Women organized by Kuwait University- College of Social Studies. UNDP GFP arranged a mission to present on ‘Women and Quota’;
Gender Mainstreaming Initiative (GMI) 2006
Achieving gender equality is a core commitment of UNDP outlined in UNDP Corporate Gender Strategy and implemented through the Gender Action Plan for 2005-2007.
The UNDP Gender Mainstreaming Initiative (GMI) 2006 implements Goal 2 of the UNDP Corporate Gender Action Plan 2006-2007: “Capacities: gender training, knowledge sharing and networking”. Through GMI, UNDP targets capacity development needs of 50 country offices and aims to accelerate the gender mainstreaming process already underway through the successful implementation of this initiative. The UNDP Gender Thematic Trust Fund (GTTF) has been instrumental in building capacities of UNDP staff on gender mainstreaming in 45 country offices, 4 Regional Centres and 5 Headquarter Units to ensure that gender equality is fully and systematically integrated into all UNDP programming.
Three successful missions came to Kuwait under the GMI;
FIRST MISSION
The SURF –Arab States (AS) Gender Policy Advisor in January 2007
Part 1: GMI -2006
Review of the GMI 2006 project and implementation strategy in terms of :
1) Capacity development of CO staff;
2) Systematic GM in all programmes;
3) GM in UN Resident Coordinator system;
4) Producing tools, lessons learnt and Best Practices
5) Alignment of HR policies and practices, missions anticipated and the TORs of the expertise reviewed and needed recommendations.
Strategic recommendations & action plan were put in place to implement.
Part 2: Capacity building of Kuwait UNDP CO staff on Gender
Several working sessions were conducted with SURF- AS gender advisor, the UNDP RR and DRR, and the UNDP CO staff to introduce the GMI and the latest development on gender policy implementation at the UNDP/BDP/RBAS/SURF-AS. A demonstration was given on why and how to use the Gender Mobile Resource Unit (GMRU) and the dissemination of portfolio related material in governance, environment, IT and media.
Part 3: Gender Community of Practice COP
Regarding the gender community of practice, the GFP extends support and exchange information and material with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Kuwait. A gender cluster has been formed with representations from UNDP, UNHCR, ILO, and IOM in Kuwait.
Part 4: Re-actualization
In depth review and re tailoring of the project document “Expanded Political Participation” to the actual context. This involved meeting with stakeholders and new players to readjust according to the current context and the post 2006 elections lessons learnt. In 2006 a sudden call for the elections was officially announced. This occurred just before the final signature of a 1 million Dollars project proposal by the Ministry of Planning which immediately after the election was dismantled as a Ministry. A project proposal was designed by SURF- AS Policy Advisors (PA) on gender and governance, document entitled “Equitable Political Participation”. The aim was to support women participation and success in the elections. This came after women were granted their political rights on the 16th of May 2005. Accordingly an in depth review and re-tailoring of the project document was undertaken to capture and reflect the lessons for future elections.
Part 5: Support to the gender focal point
A framework for gender mainstreaming interventions with the government was established and recommendations for presentations. Anticipation on future strategic cooperation development with the stakeholders was also incorporated.
SECOND MISSION
A Country Office (CO) Gender Audit was conducted for current active projects under the Second Country Cooperation Framework.
THIRD MISSION
A Gender mainstreaming strategy was put in place for the CO.
Gender training is planned for first quarter 2008, where all UNDP, UNCT staff in Kuwait and Ministry of Planning counterparts will be involved.
Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2008-2012
In the CP document and ongoing CPAP preparations, under the Gender and Social development, and cross cutting to all other areas, the concepts of Gender disaggregated data, Gender Budgeting, gender equality and gender mainstreaming were incorporated. National, regional and international consultants working on the CPAP also paid attention to these concepts in their reports covering cooperation with NGOs, Youth, Government, and Private Sector.
UNDP Kuwait News on Gender and Social Development
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17 March 2010
UNDP Kuwait Launches national Traffic Strategy Project
The UNDP office in Kuwait, as well as the Supreme Council of Planning and development, and the Ministry of Interior’s traffic department held a ceremony on 16 March 2010 to launch the National Traffic Strategy project. This meeting was held during Gulf Traffic week, at the Arab Towns Organization headquarters and was also attended by the Resident Representative/Resident Coordinator Dr. Salah Bourjini, Assistant General Secretary for the General Secretariat for the Supreme Council for Planning and Development Mr. Khaled Al-Khamis, and Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs General Mahmoud Al-Dosari. During this ceremony the project document was signed by all partners.
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13 August 2009
United Nations Development Program Hosts Youth Leadership Initiative's Participants With the participation of Jusoor Arabiya CSR center
In an effort to sustain the capacity of local Youth Initiatives, UNDP hosted 50 participants of the Youth Leadership program launched by Jusoor Arabiya/CSR Center; giving the participants the opportunity to network with like-minded groups and connect to UNDP various youth program. Dr. Salah Bourjini, the UNDP Resident Representative and the UN Resident Coordinator addressed the audience and introduced the UNDP Country Program for Kuwait in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Planning and Development. He explained the programme for youth strategy aimed at youth empowerment through capacity building, active participation, engagement, and volunteerism.
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31 July 2009
Four women in Kuwait make it into Parliament
Four new politicians made history this May when they became the first women sworn in to Kuwait's parliament. This is quite an accomplishment considering women were granted the right to vote only four years ago. UN Radio's May Yaacoub spoke to Sahar Shawa, a Gender and Social Development specialist with the UN Development Programme in Kuwait. Producer: Bissera Kostova,
Prod. Asst. Sandra Guy.
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21 April 2009
Training of Social Science students at the Center for Child Education and Teaching
A cooperative relationship is in progress between the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Center for Child Education and Teaching. This relationship will soon enable the training of Social Science and Psychology students at the Center.
UNDP Programme Analyst, Sahar Shawa attended the meeting to present the Test Regulation and Development project. This project will aim to assist the Center for Child Education and Teaching through the help and cooperation of the Faculty of Social Sciences, as well as the Faculty of Arts at Kuwait University. For more information please read the media coverage below....
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14 April 2009
The presentation of the study on women's political participation in parliamentary elections-2008 results
The United Nations Development Programme, in cooperation with the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, held a symposium at the UN house in Mishrif on 14 April 2009. The primary reason for this event was to reveal the results of the study on equitable political participation in parliamentary elections for the year 2008. The presentation was made by Kuwait University professor Salwa Al-Jassar. Minister of Housing and Development Affairs, Modhi Al-Homoud stated that raising awareness and changing society's misconceptions when it comes to women in politics, is very important. She added that "Female candidates did not win in the 2008 parliamentary elections and the barrier that is keeping them from this needs to be broken". For more information please read the media coverage below....
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24 March 2009
At a Symposium Titled "Violence Against Women" Sheikha Latifa Al-Ahmed: "The Kuwaiti Woman lives an honored and dignified life and practices her rights; there is no violence against her"
The head of the Union for Kuwaiti women's associations and head of the committee for women's issues, Sheikha Latifa Al-Fahed, has confirmed that the Kuwaiti and Middle Eastern woman does not suffer any violence against her and has lived an honored and dignified life even before the discovery of petroleum and the beginning of wealthy living. She denied the presence of what is referred to as "Violence against Women" with the exception of individual cases that require the interference of the authorities. She also added that the cause of such acts against women could be traced back to the occupation and the presence of war, conflict and violence. In Sheikha Latifa Al-Fahed's speech at the symposium, she stated that " The Kuwaiti woman stands out in her intelligence and ability to lead, and enjoys many rights that allow her to participate in activities and the expression of her opinion freely". The resident representative of the United Nations in Kuwait, Ms. Valerie Cliff spoke at the symposium, reminding the audience that " the occasion of International Women's Day is meant to celebrate the accomplishments of women, whether it's economically, politically, or socially. It is also a chance to look over and rethink the conditions of countries in order to reach the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and also to empower women and achieve equality between the two sexes". Read the media coverage below....
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17 March 2009
Preparatory Workshop for the Document on National Women's Empowerment
Participants agreed at the preparatory workshop for the national document for the empowerment of women, set up by Kuwait Transparency Society yesterday on the need to amend the legislation with a goal to end discrimination against women, as well as the empowerment of women politically, socially and economically through the establishment of training courses to promote the level of intellect and socio-politics.
Participants stressed the importance of establishing a national document to allow Kuwaiti women in all areas of political, social, economic, legal, informational, as well as the clarification of the main challenges faced by women in Kuwait. Read the media coverage below....
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19 February 2009
UNDP Kuwait Participates in Autism Center Conference held in Kuwait
The assistant undersecretary for education, Mohammad Al-Kandiri, denied the cancellation of the projects to build new educational institutions in the areas of Jahra and Ahmadi, and plans to meet with the Kuwait Financial Sector in the upcoming days. Al-Kandiri Spoke to the journalists during the opening of the workshop called "Understanding Autistic Behavior and Training" at the Kuwait Autism Center. He discussed plans on teaching autistic students and aiding them in receiving certification that allows them to work and lead productive lives.
Ms. Sahar Shawa, programme Analyst at UNDP Kuwait played a role in and represented the United Nations at this workshop. She stated that "The United Nations cares about those with special needs and aims to raise awareness and support the educational process for these students". Read the media coverage below....
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25 November 2008
UNDP Kuwait Participates in the HIV/AIDS Conference at the Transparency Society
UNDP Kuwait HIV/AIDS Focal Point, Ms Sahar Shawa, participated at the roundtable discussion held by the Center of Women Empowerment - Transparency society, as a follow up meeting based on the recommendations of the "Women Rights Institutions and HIV/AIDS" 2007 workshop in Abu Dhabi. The discussion was to design a work plan at the country level to develop response towards HIV/AIDS in Kuwait. Read the media coverage below....
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14 October 2008
Evaluation of Women Political participation in the 2008 Parliamentary Elections Roundtable Discussion
A round table discussion was conducted, as part of the activities of the Equitable Political Participation Project, to evaluate Kuwaiti women participation in the 2008 parliamentary elections. The UNDP and supreme council for Planning and development project outcomes will smooth the progress towards the development of a national strategy for women political empowerment using the results of this and other activities of the project. Read the media coverage below....
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23 April 2008
Exploring Challenges and Opportunities
UNDP and SCPD consulted with Kuwaiti women to explore the challenges and opportunities, and suggest recommendations to be able to engage with the Supreme Council for Planning and Development on future interventions and eventual programmes. Such cross fertilization discussions was beneficial in studying the key gender issues and the support through this consultative exercise was a good means to bring a wider scope to our current and future initiatives in the field of gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment. The meeting served as an opportunity to make strategic recommendations to enhance the status of women in the State of Kuwait through policy formulation and action plan. Click here to view the report and recommendations.
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9 March 2008
Your Law is your Light
UNDP Kuwait provided support to the Women Cultural and Social Society (WCSS) campaign to raise awareness of the Kuwaiti Family Law. The awareness campaign, in cooperation with UNIFEM, and Freedom House, was under the maxim “Your Law is your Light”, and was launched on March 9th and continued until the end of March 2008. It consisted of banners, newspaper, buses and street posts advertisements. It included the message for women that the law is with you; get to know it to protect your life and your legal rights.
It builds on the past successful cooperation between UNDP Kuwait and the WCSS in the political awareness campaign “Exercise Your Rights; Let Your Voice be Heard” in the 2006 elections which played a significant role in encouraging Kuwaiti women to practice their political rights as voters and candidates.
UNDP Kuwait support to WCSS in this legal awareness campaign comes in accordance with the new Country Programme, as part of the Gender and Social Development area and the laws and legislations area. It is considered as a good start in laying the grounds and preparing the stakeholders and the public in an attempt to sensitize them and raise their awareness of legal rights at the same time. The cooperation presents UNDP with a good opportunity to beat of the civil society efforts to support Kuwaiti women.
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Kuwait
