US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT4325

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 KUWAIT 004325 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI AND NEA/PI 
 
E.O. 12958:  DECL: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, KDEM, KMPI, KWMN, PGOV, PREL, PINR, KU, XF, WOMEN'S POLITICAL RIGHTS, MEPI 
SUBJECT: MEPI-FUNDED REGIONAL CAMPAIGN SCHOOL BRINGS ARAB 
WOMEN TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN THEIR POLITICAL SKILLS 
 
1.  (U)  Summary.  The National Democratic Institute (NDI) 
held in Kuwait from September 25 - 28, the fourth regional 
campaign school funded by the Middle East Partnership 
Initiative (MEPI).  "Partners in Participation" attracted 
women activists from 14 countries in the Middle East and 
North Africa.  The goals of the four-day gathering were to 
encourage women to become more politically active, introduce 
them to their counterparts in other countries, and to 
develop their campaign and advocacy skills.  Speakers 
included the Ambassador, who welcomed the group to Kuwait 
and also hosted a September 26 reception in their honor; 
Kuwaiti Minister of Planning and Minister of State for 
Administrative Development Affairs Dr. Ma'souma Al-Mubarak; 
former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell; NDI Regional 
Director for Middle East and North Africa Les Campbell; and 
Representative Jane Harman (D-CA).  The campaign school 
received positive, daily press coverage in Arabic and 
English dailies, and attracted the attention of the Ministry 
of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, which was holding a seminar 
on family values in the same hotel, as well as other 
embassies and organizations planning similar training 
events.  Conferees were enthusiastic about the workshops and 
promised to maintain contact with each other through a 
website created by the International Republican Institute 
(IRI) which partnered with NDI for the event.  End Summary. 
 
The Workshop 
------------ 
 
2.  (U)  Working with the Kuwait Economic Society Women's 
Committee and the Women's Social and Cultural Society, the 
National Democratic Institute (NDI) held September 25 - 28 
"Partners in Participation," the fourth regional women's 
political participation and campaign academy.  The workshop 
brought together women from 14 countries from the Middle 
East and North Africa to share experiences and participate 
in workshops on campaign strategy, message development, 
voter outreach, and media relations. 
 
Women Share the Responsibility of Shaping Policy 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
3.  (U)  Dr. Ma'souma Al-Mubarak, Kuwaiti Minister of 
Planning and Minister of State for Administrative 
Development Affairs and Kuwait's first female minister (also 
from the minority Shi'a population), opened the conference 
by acknowledging Kuwait's "delight" to host the meeting. 
She encouraged the gathered women to seize the opportunity 
to learn about political interaction skills and the 
electoral process so that they could become effective 
campaigners.  Switching from English to Arabic, she stressed 
the importance of campaign finance and encouraged women to 
support other women.  Commenting on the May 16 decision to 
grant Kuwaiti women their full political rights, she said 
their "role and status in society had changed" and Kuwaiti 
women would "stand proudly beside their fellow citizens and 
share the responsibility of making and running the country's 
policies." 
 
Using MEPI to Support Regional Reforms 
-------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (U)  The Ambassador also welcomed the group and 
expressed U.S. pleasure in supporting the conference through 
a MEPI grant. He recounted successful MEPI programs in the 
region since its 2002 creation and restated the U.S. 
commitment to support the conferees in their reform efforts, 
noting that there is no one-size-fits-all model for 
democratization.  Using Kuwait as an example, he told the 
crowd that women's suffrage was achieved through the 
collaboration of different groups - students, academics, 
politicians, and activists - for one common goal.  He 
encouraged the women to follow the Kuwaiti example and work 
together in pursuit of freedom, equality and liberty. 
 
Breaking Down Barriers 
---------------------- 
 
5. (U) Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell delivered 
the keynote address and spoke about her experiences as the 
first female president of her high school student body, the 
first Canadian woman to serve as Minister of Justice and 
Minister of Defense (as the latter, she was the first female 
Defense Minister from a NATO country), and the first 
Canadian woman to become Prime Minister.  Explaining that 
although she did not want to only be known as the former PM, 
she said she recognized that her successes and failures 
could inspire others.  Further commenting on the global 
scarcity of women in senior political positions, she drew 
from the social sciences and said from infancy, people 
unconsciously develop ideas on gender roles based on their 
surroundings and observations.  Those who were children 
during the Margaret Thatcher era have no problem accepting a 
woman in a leadership role in contrast to others who see 
women in non-traditional roles and view it as "an exception 
to the rule."  She encouraged women to break these 
stereotypes by being visible, openly confronting women who 
oppose women's political involvement, and being pragmatic 
and strategic in promoting social and political changes. 
 
"When Women Help Women, Women Win" 
---------------------------------- 
 
6.  (U)  Representative Jane Harman (D-CA) delivered the 
closing address and talked about her experiences in running 
for Congress and Governor of California.  She encouraged the 
participants to learn their issues and develop a clear 
message, called on the more experienced and influential 
women to mentor and guide younger activists, and asserted, 
"When women help women, there's nothing we can't do."  She 
cautioned that the first race, as well as the second, is 
hard to win, and advised women not to give in to defeat. 
She also said that being a politician made her a better 
mother because her children learned to follow their passion, 
and being a mother made her a better politician because she 
knew how to listen to the needs and concerns of her 
constituents. 
 
What Are Those Women Doing? 
--------------------------- 
 
7.  (SBU)  There was ample press coverage all four days of 
the workshop with the English-language papers giving full- 
page coverage to the opening day.  An article by 
Representative Harman, posted on the blog site tpmcafe.com 
was reprinted in its entirety, complete with reader 
comments.  In addition to the press, the conference 
attracted the attention of local and international 
organizations.  The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic affairs 
was holding a seminar on family values in the same hotel and 
representatives repeatedly visited the conference rooms to 
ask women what they were discussing and to distribute 
brochures.  Other embassies and the UNDP were also curious 
about the participants and agenda as they were planning 
similar activities.  (Note:  Post is in regular contact with 
the UNDP about its activities to promote women's political 
and social involvement.  We have recommended that UNDP 
activities, to be carried out in conjunction with the GOK, 
complement, and not duplicate activities already underway 
through MEPI.  Additionally, on the margins of the 
conference, IRI and the International Federation for 
Election Systems (IFES) both visited Kuwait to discuss 
program activities in advance of the 2007 parliamentary 
elections in which women will vote and run for office for 
the first time.  End note.) 
 
 
Comments on the Campaign School 
------------------------------- 
 
8.  (SBU)  Kuwaiti and international participants were 
generally positive in their assessment.  All cited as the 
highlight of the week the opportunity to meet other women 
and the realization that they are not alone in the struggle 
for equality. Although many women tended to segregate 
themselves into groups - those wearing the hijab and abaya, 
those wearing only the hijab, and the more secular - they 
worked well together on exercises and listened closely to 
messages about advocacy and the need to overcome religious 
and cultural differences and cooperate on issues of mutual 
interest.  Kuwaiti Development Consultant Naima Al-Shayji 
told PolChief that although she had participated in other 
training opportunities, the lessons from this conference 
resonated more because her political participation is now  a 
reality and no longer a concept.  Other women confirmed they 
will run for office. 
 
Conference Participants 
----------------------- 
 
9.  (SBU)  Algeria: 
 
Salima Maafri Epse Aissou, Leader of the Women's Section of 
the Movement for a Peaceful Society (MSP) 
 
Naima Draou Balhi, National Liberation Front (FLN) 
 
Baya Djenane, Vice President of the Munipal Council of 
Melbou 
 
Meriem Ben Kherouf Lechneb, Leading member of the Women's 
Section of the El-Islah Party 
 
Fatma-Zohra Chabati Mansouri, Former Member of Parliament 
and Trade Union Activist 
 
Ouzna Cheikh Lousin Moula, Member of the Provincial Council 
of Tizi Ouzou, Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) 
 
10.  (SBU)  Bahrain: 
 
Wajeha Aloryed, Progressive Democratic Tribune 
 
Sakina Al Ekry, Member of the Board of Al-Wefaq 
 
Layla Rajab, Chairperson, Gulf Center for Democratic 
Development 
 
Wedad Jamsheer, National Democratic Action Society 
 
Shoala Shakeeb, President, Al Mustaqbal Women's Society 
 
11.  (SBU) Egypt: 
 
Abla Mohamed Omar El Hawary, General Manager of the Judicial 
Committee of Suheig 
 
Azza Soliman Mohamed, Journalist and Member, National 
Democratic Party 
 
Abir Hussein Mohamed Gabr Shalaby, General Coordinating 
Assistant for the Democratic Capacity Building Project 
 
 
12.  (SBU)  Iraq: 
 
Entiessar Abdul Kareem, Member of the Human Rights and 
Women's Rights Committee of the Council for Peace 
 
Shula Ali Yasin, National Democratic Party 
 
Bushrah H. Ali Al-Tamimi, Leader of the Women's Committee, 
Islamic Fadila (Virtue) Party 
 
Tavga Mohamad Ali Mahamad Salih, Member of the Central Shura 
Council, Kurdistan Islamic Union 
 
13.  (SBU)  Jordan: 
 
Eryof Abdallah Musallam Alajwaleen, Director of Jordanian 
Hashemite Fund for Human Development Community Center 
 
Hiyam Al-Damra, Member of Al-Wasat Party 
 
Hyaam Hasan Salem Al-Hweitat, Head of the Organizational 
Department of the Municipality of Al-Hassa 
 
Amneh Issa Salem Khasawneh, Founding Member of the Irbid 
Province Branch of the Jordanian National Women's Committee 
 
Raja Khater, Member of the Al-Wasat Party 
 
Nour Saleh Mohammad Shannaq, Member of the Al-Ahd Party 
 
14.  (SBU)  Kuwait: 
 
Massouma Abdulla Al-Ali, Women's Social and Cultural Society 
 
Fatima Al-Abdeli, Team Leader of the Health and Environment 
HSE Group with the Kuwait Oil Company 
 
Khawla Al-Alteegi, Teacher's Society 
 
Nabeela Al-Anjari, Assist Undersecretary for Tourism 
 
Laila Al-Awadi, Head of the Revision and Auditing Department 
of the Ministry of Planning 
 
Fatma, Al-B'dah, Al Islah 
 
Najat AA Al-Hashash, Islamic Care, Women's Union 
 
Salwa Al-Jasar, Assistant Professor with the Curriculum and 
Instruction Department, College of Education, Kuwait 
University, and General Director of Family Health 
 
Lulwa Al-Mulla, Women's Social and Cultural Society 
Tagreed Al-Mulla, Professor of Communications, Kuwait 
University 
 
Sheika Al-Nisif, Women's Social and Cultural Society 
 
Shoaia Al-Qasabi, Kuwait Women's Society for Community 
Services, Women's Union 
 
Alanoud Al-Sharekh, Women's Social and Cultural Society 
 
Shamael Al-Sharekh, Women's Social and Cultural Society 
 
Bothaina Al-Thaaqeb, Bayader Al-Salam Society, Women's Union 
 
Mariam Bushari, Kuwait Economic Society 
 
Rola Dashti, Kuwait Economic Society 
 
Kawther Al-Jouan, Member of the Kuwait Graduate Society 
 
Khadija Al-Mohameed, Al Tawafik 
 
Khalida Al-Mohamed, Al Tawafik 
 
15.  (SBU)  Lebanon: 
 
Maha Al-Azar, Media Relations Officer of Information and 
Public Relations at the American University in Beirut 
 
Mariam Al-Shami, Head of Arab Lawyers' Association 
 
Doreen Khoury, Executive Director of the Lebanese 
Association for Democratic Elections 
 
Sophie Rouillard Butros 
 
16.  (SBU)  Mauritania: 
 
Naha Mint Moukhnass, President of the Union for Democracy 
and Progress (UDP) 
 
17.  (SBU)  Morocco: 
 
Nezha Alaoui, Director of the SOS Center for Children Women 
Victims of Violence in Kenitra 
 
Naima Farah, Communal Councilor and Head of the Women's Wing 
of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) 
 
Jamila Moualdi, Coordinator of the Tanger Section of the 
Alliance of Liberal Democrats and  Member of the Central 
Committee of the Alliance of Liberal Democrats 
 
Houria Ouachach, Member of the Central Committee of the 
Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS) 
 
18.  (SBU)  Oman: 
 
Rafiah Al-Talei, Journalist with the Oman Newspaper 
 
19.  (SBU)  Qatar: 
 
Shikha Yousef Al Gefery, Member of the Central Municipal 
Council 
 
20.  (SBU)  Saudi Arabia: 
 
Manal Al-Sharif, Journalist with the Al-Watan Newspaper 
 
Samar Fatany, Senior Announcer and Radio Journalist at Radio 
Jeddah 
 
Rajaa Mohammed, Program Analyst for Environmental Programs 
with ARAMCO 
 
21.  (SBU)  United Arab Emirates: 
 
Ebtisam bin Howaiden Al-Kitbi, Assistant Professor in the 
College of Humanities and Social Science at UAE University 
 
22.  (SBU)  West Bank and Gaza: 
 
Hafsa Arram, Leader in the Bloc of the Women's Struggle, the 
Palestinian Popular Struggle Front 
 
Amal Barghouthi, General Director, Working Palestinian 
Women's Society for Development 
 
Asil Khalifa, Director of Women and Child Affairs Department 
in the Office of the Governor of Gaza 
 
Asmahan Malaki, Coordinator of Women's Activities in Rural 
Areas, Palestinian Democratic Union (FIDA) 
 
Farha Natour, Chairwoman of "Not to Forget" Palestinian 
Women's Association in Jenin 
 
23.  (SBU)  Yemen 
 
Bilqis Abu Osbo'a, Assistant Professor of Political Science 
 
Asma Mohamed Othman Thabet Al-Ademi, Member of the Islah 
Party 
 
Rahma Mohamed Saleh Sharaby, Director of Women's Committee 
of the General People's Congress (GPC) 
 
Ebtisam Ahmed Abdul Rahman Qarhash, Program Controller, 
Cultural Development Programs Establishment 
 
Saadah Saeed Mohammed Olayah, Member of the Central 
Committee of the Nasserite Party 
 
Aziza Sharaf Hameed Abdullah, Member of the Central 
Committee of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) 
 
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