KUWAIT: In a historic move toward gender equality, Kuwait officially abolished Article 153 of the penal code, a law that effectively allowed “honor killings” by granting lenient sentences to male relatives who murdered female family members caught in adultery. In another key legal reform, Kuwait raised the legal minimum marriage age from 16 to 18 to prevent child marriages, aligning with international child protection laws and providing young girls the chance to focus on personal development. Both decrees were published in the national gazette, Kuwait Al-Youm, on Sunday.

The new decree states that marriage contracts cannot be ratified if either party is under 18. The decision is in line with Kuwait’s constitution, which guarantees “protection of the family, motherhood and childhood, in accordance with the Islamic sharia”. Article 153 had stipulated reduced penalties (maximum of three years and/or a small fine) for men who murder their wives, mothers, daughters or sisters in case they catch them in an “illicit” relationship, otherwise known as “honor killings”.

This reform has been recognized as a major milestone for women’s rights in Kuwait. Alanoud Alsharekh, a women’s rights activist and co-founder of the Abolish 153 initiative, expressed relief and gratitude for the repeal, thanking HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and all who contributed to ending this injustice.

The Abolish 153 campaign, a grassroots movement led by women’s rights activists, successfully lobbied for the repeal of the law. The initiative focused on legal advocacy, public awareness campaigns and lobbying international human rights organizations to highlight the dangers posed by the law and its contradictions with Kuwait’s constitutional principles.

Appreciating the efforts of all those involved, Alsharekh told Kuwait Times: “The campaign, in collaboration with members of the National Assembly, government agencies and civil society organizations, has been working on this issue for the past decade. We are grateful for the decision to abolish Article 153.”

Nejoud Al-Yagout, a prominent women’s rights advocate and co-founder of Interheart Kuwait/Italia, hailed the decision as a significant step toward social and legal reform. She emphasized that the removal of a law supporting gender inequality marked a turning point for Kuwait. “Kuwait has made history today through a realization that any law that favors one gender over another is unjust,” she told Kuwait Times.

Al-Yagout also noted that the dissolution of parliament, which had been dominated by figures opposed to women’s reforms, helped pave the way for this change. “We had misogynists in power who would have never voted to abolish the article,” she said. She thanked HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal, a supporter of women’s rights, and government ministers for taking bold action in removing a major symbol of gender-based discrimination from the legal system.

Al-Yagout expressed hope for further legal reforms to protect women from violence, noting that women are often encouraged to remain silent about abuse. “But now, with the state’s protection, this could encourage women to speak out against domestic abuse. And when women speak out, a space arises for new laws,” she added.

She urged Kuwaiti women and activists to continue pushing for progress, praising the trailblazing iconic women of Abolish 153 who have proved to Kuwaiti women that laws are not set in stone and society is open to change. “Any society that excludes members because of gender, faith, race, orientation, or ethnicity cannot evolve.”

While the increase in the marriage age to 18 is a step forward, Al-Yagout pointed out potential loopholes, particularly with illegal marriages outside the formal court system. However, she remains optimistic that the law will protect young girls from child marriages and abuse. “A girl under 18 is in no position to get married. Young girls should feel empowered, focus on their education and enjoy their teenage years,” she said.