By Ghada Eltahir

Representative of UN Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator Kuwait

Recent legal reforms in Kuwait mark historic progress for women’s rights. The abolition of Article 153 of the Penal Code, which previously allowed reduced penalties for so-called “honor crimes,” is a powerful affirmation that all violence against women is unacceptable and punishable by law. Additionally, raising the legal age of marriage to 18 is a major advancement in protecting girls and boys from early marriage, ensuring their right to education, personal development, and informed life choices.

These achievements reflect Kuwait’s commitment to aligning with international human rights standards and advancing gender equality. Building on this momentum, the 2020 Domestic Violence Law was another milestone, establishing shelters for survivors, providing legal support, and reinforcing protections against gender-based violence. Ensuring the full implementation of such policies remains a priority.

Kuwait has made significant progress in other areas of women empowerment, particularly in education, employment, and governance. Women in Kuwait outnumber men in higher education enrollment, and over 70 percent of university graduates are women, demonstrating the country’s commitment to empowering future generations. Women constitute over 44.59 percent of the public sector workforce as of 2017, playing key roles in education, healthcare, and administration. The private sector is gradually opening more opportunities, and targeted policies can further bridge the gender gap.

This year, we celebrate 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most comprehensive global framework for advancing women’s empowerment. Since its adoption in 1995, undeniable progress has been made, more girls are in school, more women are in leadership, and stronger legal protections exist worldwide. Kuwait has been part of this journey, ensuring access to education, expanding economic opportunities, and strengthening legal frameworks. However, there’s still more to be done as the focus is shifting from commitment to action.

This year’s Beijing+30 Action Agenda presents a renewed opportunity to accelerate meaningful change across six key priorities: bridging the digital divide, addressing women’s poverty, eliminating gender-based violence, ensuring equal decision-making, strengthening women’s role in peace and security, and promoting gender-responsive climate action. Despite many achievements since 2015, we recognize that women’s representation in leadership positions remains below desired levels, and the gender pay gap continues to hinder economic empowerment. To address these challenges, we must redouble our efforts and implement targeted strategies aligned with global best practices.

The journey toward women empowerment and gender equality is not just about women, it is about creating a more just, prosperous and resilient society for all. This is a collective responsibility, requiring governments, civil society, the private sector, and youth to work together in shaping a future where every woman and girl can thrive. The United Nations in Kuwait reaffirms its commitment to supporting national efforts, engaging stakeholders, and driving tangible progress. As part of the Beijing+30 framework, we encourage Kuwait to identify and implement key national commitments that align with the Action Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 5. The time for action is now. We must march forward...together.