‘Women empowerment key to economic development’

‘Proud of Kuwaiti females role’

MARRAKECH, Dec 13, (KUNA): Women’s empowerment represents a crucial step towards economic and social development, a group of Kuwaiti craftswomen said on Tuesday.

Secretary General of a Kuwaiti union of craftswomen Amina Ismail pressed Arab governments to support women to help “assimilate them into economic and social worlds.” In a statement to KUNA on the sidelines of an economic forum which kicked off in Morocco on Monday, Ismail noted that efforts to establish women empowerment could help expedite broad development in the Arab world.

Meanwhile, Jamila Al-Dwas, a member of this union, said that “women empowerment has become obligatory”, adding that “Kuwait has made substantial progress on this issue.” Moreover, another union member, Aseel AlMazyed underscored the “significant” phases that Kuwaiti women have completed, which proves that they are capable of standing alongside men to help build the nation’s economy.

Kuwait’s delegation to the economic forum organized by the Union of Moroccan Businesswomen comprises 20 women, headed by Sheikha Hessa Saad AlAbdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.

The forum allows Arab businesswomen the chance step up cooperation in business and economic realms. Sheikha Hessa said she is honored and proud of the roles played by Kuwaiti women in comprehensive development in Kuwait and executing it in a perfect manner – roles entrusted to them in the past and in the present.

Forum

In her statement on the sideline of her participation in the first ‘Economic Forum of Arab Businesswomen,’ Sheikha Hessa pointed out the “Kuwaiti woman is a self-made success story, as she is used to work and progress in her responsibilities until she occupied an advanced status in public life beside men.”

Sheikha Hessa, who is also President of the Union of ArabAfrican Businesswomen, added that the Kuwaiti woman managed to integrate into public life and has been engaged in commercial and economic activities which used to be for men only.

She praised the unwavering support of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for women, particularly in activating their role in various fields. She affirmed Kuwait’s political leadership wants women to enter the private labor market and establish investment projects. She added the leadership is keen on providing financial and technical support to women as they have been “pioneering and successful” in different business aspects.

Sheikh Hessa then called for more support to Kuwaiti women, especially since they have proven their competence in parliamentary and diplomacy works.

The Council of Arab Businesswomen organized Monday its first economic meeting in Marrakech city with participation of 20 businesswomen from Kuwait, including Sheikha Hessa, Council’s President, and a number of Arab businesswomen.

This meeting aims at boosting economic ties among Arab businesswomen, coordinating cooperation efforts to reinforce Arab women’ role in commercial and economic fields, and boosting women’s role in public life, Sheikha Hessa said in her opening speech at the meeting.

Holding such an economic event in Morocco reflects the appreciation and respect by Arab and foreign investors to the Kingdom, she said, pointing out Morocco’s several recent economic procedures that positively helped elevating the North African country’s economy.