International Women’s Group Kuwait marks 30-year anniversary

This year, the International Women’s Group Kuwait (IWG), celebrates its 30-year anniversary - serving the international women community in Kuwait and bringing them together with their Kuwaiti peers. On this occasion, IWG member Narjes Al-Shatti spoke to Kuwait Times about the background and the history of IWG. “IWG Kuwait chapter is a branch of the Denmark-based International Women’s Group, which has branches worldwide. All the groups do organize similar programs and activities.” She said.

The IWG was founded in the 19th century. “The IWG initiative started when the Queen of Denmark hosted the ambassadors’ spouses to introduce them to the culture of her country. She organized social, entertainment and cultural activities so that members can talk about their respective countries to the other members.” Shatti explained.

In 1988, the wife of Danish ambassador to Kuwait along with Tula Naqi, wife of one of Kuwait’s highly regarded merchants and Layla Rajab, wife of the son of the late Tareq Rajab who founded the first museum of Islamic arts in Kuwait inaugurated IWG-Kuwait. Together, they started their activities by offering support through social and cultural events. The group’s goal is to be a part of the greater community while learning and exploring other cultures. The group is a non-political, non-religious, non-commercial and open to all nationalities. IWG regularly organize activities presented by the diplomats’ wives where they showcase their home countries.

Shatti said that she joined IWG in 1993 after the British ambassador’s wife at the time invited her to join in recognition of her efforts in social outreach. “I was nominated by Tula Naqi to replace her as the Public Relations coordinator for IWG. I have been serving as IWG board member since then - representing my country Kuwait. I have learnt so much since I joined IWG,” she said.

“I learned how to deal with diplomats and I have become aware of many cultural issues I wasn’t familiar with before. We are always in contact with the ambassadors and other top dignitaries in the society. The Queen of Denmark who founded the group, said that this group is for those who ‘walk the red carpet,” Shatti added.

After 1993, IWG expanded the group so that diplomats’ wives can nominate members of their community to join the group under their sponsorship and to represent their countries in events when the wives are absent. “IWG started with less than 50 members and now we have over 150 members,” she said, adding that IWG’s future plan is to establish a permanent location for the group to practice their activities freely.

When asked what she wishes for IWG, Shatti said “After 30 years of serving Kuwait tirelessly, I believe IWG has gone far beyond its original role as a mere social and recreational organization for women of the foreign diplomats in Kuwait. It has become a platform of meaningful cultural and social exchange that has quietly enriched Kuwait’s social scene, while also promoting Kuwait’s image and celebrating everything that Kuwaitis take pride in. Therefore, I believe that it is about time that the Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs extends more of its support by taking the initiative to take IWG under its auspices, so that IWG can continue doing what it does best while also adapting to challenges and changes of the future.”