Discrimination cannot continue, says minister

Removing discrimination against Kuwaiti women in the state legislation is a priority, said Kuwait's Minister of Planning and Minister of State for Administrative Development Affairs Massouma Al Mubarak, adding this policy will be followed in legislations of the two ministries under her authority and other ministries in cooperation with her colleagues, reports Al Anba daily.

"Discrimination cannot continue," said Dr Massouma, adding social allowance for a married woman with children should be the same as for a married man and not the same as an unmarried women especially if her husband is dead, unemployed or if she is married to a non-Kuwaiti.

"If there is any legal reason for this discrimination, said Dr Massouma, she and her colleagues will work on reaching a solution and submit this as a draft law for approval by the Council of Ministers and Parliament.

Housing care for women is next item on the agenda, she said.

She said that the laws governing Kuwaiti society need to be amended, adding that the changes received full political support from the Emir, the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister.

"Society should take advantage of the good intentions of the State's political leadership as the laws against discrimination of women must be supported by all." she said.

Speaking on the warning she received on grilling her in the Parliament, she pointed out that the State has a constitution to resolve any conflict. If MPs believe the only solution is grilling a minister then there should be a grilling.

"Those who warned of a grilling against her have no real intention of doing so because she has not done anything to deserve a grilling," she added.