ShareKUWAIT: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah renewed Kuwait’s condemnation and rejection of the Zionist occupation’s continued aggression on the Gaza Strip, reiterating the call for the international community and UN Security Council to fulfill their obligations in this matter. This came during Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah’s speech Thursday on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, sponsor of the regional conference “Arab Women, Peace, and Security,” organized by the Kuwaiti Federation of Women’s Associations in cooperation with the Arab Women’s Organization affiliated with the Arab League.
The deputy minister called upon the international community to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza without obstacles and provide protection for defenseless Palestinians, as well as hold Zionists accountable for violating international law and put a stop to it. He explained that women were and still are the first victims of wars, conflicts, security, social, economic, and political unrest, but they have proven their ability to withstand and face difficulties, stressing the importance of governmental and nongovernmental organizations’ support for women’s issues.
Women empowerment policies in various fields have a direct impact on stability and security in the Arab world, he added, which prompts the need for concerted efforts to strengthen state policies in empowerment, especially at economic and social levels, and boost their rights in the decision-making process. He pointed out that despite the challenges facing women in the Arab world, they were able to earn many of their civil, political, and economic rights, stressing confidence that this conference will achieve more goals and objectives aimed at promoting women’s rights.
He stressed Kuwait’s keenness, since the establishment of the legislative foundations of the state, to preserve women’s rights and support them, pointing out that the Constitution guaranteed the rights of Kuwaiti women in Article 29, which emphasized equality between men and women. He noted that Kuwait has contributed over the past years to supporting the empowerment of women, and Kuwaiti women’s representation in leadership positions has reached 28 percent in various sectors, in addition to occupying 64 percent of the total national workforce in the public sector and 48 percent in the private sector.
Sheikh Jarrah Al-Sabah said that the UN Security Council issued Resolution No. 1325 entitled “Women, Peace, and Security” in 2000, which came to emphasize the role of women in preventing and resolving conflicts, maintaining peace, reconciliation, and mediation endeavors. In this regard, Kuwait recently established a National Committee to implement UNSC Resolution No. 1325, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and including relevant national authorities. As it is important to strengthen joint international action aimed at preventing the outbreak of international conflicts and protecting women, Sheikh Jarrah offered greetings and respect to Kuwaiti women, remembering with pride how they faced occupation with courage and bravery and had a major role in the ranks of the resistance.
Meanwhile, Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Abu al-Gheit called for an urgent plan to respond to humanitarian aid requests by Palestine on Thursday. This came in a statement by Abu al-Gheit in the inaugural speech of the 113th Arab Economic and Social Council meeting chaired by Jordan. He mentioned the document included humanitarian, economic, and social relief for various Palestinian lands, hoping to reduce Palestinians’ daily suffering.
Abu al-Gheit added that the meeting is convening at a very dangerous time both regionally and internationally, especially with the ongoing genocide taking place in the Gaza Strip since October 7 by occupation forces. The Zionist occupation is no longer hiding their vicious, inhumane plans regarding Palestinians, specifically the recent bombardment of Rafah City, which is inhabited by 1.4 million Palestinian refugees, he added.
“A humanitarian crisis is coming into effect, with tensions rising in the region,” he stressed. He said that all parties must acknowledge the genocide being committed, branding “grotesque” the global political double standards regarding the matter. He pointed out the economic damages the war has produced. With increasing threats of security in the Red Sea, there has been a decline in tourism in the region, affecting investments. He concluded by saying that Arab countries, due to the current situation in Gaza, are now focusing on damage control instead of looking into a better future for the region. — KUNA
