Kuwait votes for their first woman MPs

Four women made history by winning seats in the parliament of the oil-rich state of Kuwait, according to official results announced today. As the Kuwaiti state television announced the results, supporters of the victorious candidates congratulated them. Kuwaiti parliament was dominated by men for almost five decades.

Liberal activist Massuma al-Mubarak achieved a milestone by becoming the first Kuwaiti woman minister in 2005.
Mubarak was named one of the four new female lawmakers. The other winners were liberal Aseel Al Awadhi, women's rights activist Rola Dashti, and independent university teacher Salwa Al Jassar. Kuwaiti women were running for elections for the third time after being granted political rights in 2005. Sixteen women were among the 210 candidates standing for the 50-seat parliament. In the pervious two elections however they failed to make a mark. Islamists won 16 seats, down from the 24 seats that they held earlier. Kuwait has witnessed turmoil in recent months with repeated cases of dissolution of parliament and other political uncertainties.