One of first women to contest Kuwaiti polls comes second
This is also the first time women could vote. Jenan Bushehri said she was happy to have been a part of this historic moment.
Kuwait City (AsiaNews/Agencies) She was not elected, but Jenan Bushehri came second in by-elections in Kuwait. Bushehri and another woman contested the first polls in Kuwait's history allowing women to field themselves as candidates and to cast their vote, following a law passed in 2005. "For me, this is certainly a historic moment," said Bushehri. "I was really happy when I was counting my votes." The woman got 1,808 votes and the winner, Al-Suwaileh Al-Azmi, garnered 5,414 votes. The other female candidate, Khalda Khudur, came in last with 80 votes.
The ballot was the municipal election in Salmiya, 15km southeast of the capital. The fact that women had the possibility to contest made the event considerably important for the whole Islamic world, not least because yesterday's vote was a trial for full-blown political polls in 2007.
"I am really happy to have been one of the first Kuwaiti women to participate in the elections," said Bushehri, who has a Masters in Engineering. "I broke the ice and I hope that this will benefit the cause of women." Bushehri pointed to a lack of political maturity, with voting based on tribal or religious membership (Sunnis or Shiites).
Khader, a doctor who is a specialist in public health and mother of eight children, said: "I am pleased I was one of the first Kuwaiti women participate in the electoral race." Khader lamented the fact that "some women went to the polling booths carrying pictures of male candidates while ignoring us".
Men and women voted in separate polling booths and the turnout of female voters was relatively low at around 30%; eligible female voters make up 60% of the total electorate. They went to the polling booths in traditional Islamic garb, as opposed to the candidates' supporters (see photo).
The participation of women in the vote was not accepted by all however. "No woman should do it," said 50-year-old Sehim Bin Jameh. "I will never vote for a woman."
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