Kuwaiti women campaign in uncharted territory

By Haitham Haddadin

KUWAIT (Reuters) – Kuwaiti women competing for the first
time in a general election are shattering social taboos and
campaigning in the uncharted territory of the all-male
“diwaniya,” the Gulf Arab state’s version of a gentlemen’s
club.

Hoping to win parliamentary seats on June 29, women are
reaching out to a wider audience by taking their message to the
diwaniyas – from the Arabic “diwan” or council.

These meetings are seen as a barometer of public opinion
and are referred to as Kuwait’s “mini parliaments,” second to
none for picking up the buzz on what’s happening in the
political arena, the stock market or corporate corridors.

Members of the ruling Sabah family, scions of merchant
families, tribal chiefs or ordinary Kuwaitis have weekly, even
daily, diwaniya meetings at their homes.

Members of parliament listen to constituents or campaign at
these gatherings, usually held in the evening to avoid the
day-time desert heat.

Until now, these meetings have been off limits to women,
reflecting traditions in a mainly Sunni Muslim country where
the sexes sit separately at many mixed events.

But things change. Some of the 32 women making history by
contesting the parliamentary polls have either received invites
or sought to visit diwaniyas to present their platforms.

BREAKING THE BARRIER

“The response to our visits has been great,” said Rola
Dashti, a U.S.-educated economist who is one of six women
running in Jabriya. “All you had to do was break the
psychological barrier and go. I’ve been saying that all along.”

Unlike male candidates, many of them seasoned lawmakers,
many women candidates were unprepared when the new polls were
called a year early. The vote is to replace the parliament
dissolved by the emir last month after a crisis pitting
reformist deputies against the government.

“The female candidates were left with little time to
prepare, what can they do in a month?” said tribal notable
Bakheet al-Hajeri as he welcomed Fatima al-Abdali, a candidate
in his Daiya constituency, to his diwaniya.

Abdali, a U.S.-educated official at a state-run oil firm
who wore traditional dress with her head covered, was welcomed
by a crowd of Kuwaiti men in white flowing robes and
headdresses.

Waiters served cardamom-flavored tea and coffee to the
guests who ranged from family members to friends and strangers
who are also welcomed under the Arab tradition of hospitality.

Some fiddled with worry beads as Abdali explained her
ideas, such as the need for committees to hold deputies to
task.

“She has superior ideas,” said Hajeri, adding he has no
qualms about voting for a woman if she is the best candidate.

“THE OTHER WIFE”

As much as men love diwaniyas, women have long complained
they are excluded and that these meetings keep men away from
home for hours. Some Kuwaiti women jokingly refer to their
husbands’ diwaniya as “his other wife.”

Aisha al-Rushaid, a journalist running for election in
Kaifan, says she was the first woman to break the psychological
barrier of going to diwaniyas, receiving an invitation from
constituents last year after declaring her intention to stand.

“Thank God, I received big welcomes and acceptance,” she
said.

But some women were uncertain about how to even approach
joining a diwaniya.

“Do you have to call the owner first or can you just go?”
one candidate asked Abdali. “You have to call,” Abdali replied.

Such “political” diwaniya visits, even if held only during
election season, don’t sit well with conservative Kuwaitis,
especially Islamists who opposed granting women suffrage.

Abdali says she seeks permission from diwaniya owners
before going, is always dressed conservatively and escorted by
a male relative. “I’m a free thinker … but not a liberal 100
percent. I observe our religion and traditions,” she said.

The trailblazing visits to diwaniyas started a debate on
whether even bigger changes were likely for this
quintessentially Kuwaiti tradition.

Many male diwaniya attendees dodged questions on whether
women would be welcome at “social” diwaniya visits soon.

“Everything is good in due course,” said Salem al-Arada,
laughing, but adding he supports women running in polls.

“Their voice should be heard in parliament.”

Abd al-Rahman Alyan, deputy editor-in-chief of Kuwait
Times, said Kuwait is not ready for mixed diwaniya socializing
yet.

“Kuwait has changed over the years,” Alyan wrote. “Some
mixed diwaniyas are held today, but by invitation only. Sooner
or later, women and men socializing together at a diwaniya will
be accepted by the Kuwaiti public.”