Votes for women
The week's news at a glance.
Kuwait City
Kuwait’s parliament this week granted women the right to vote and hold political office. Islamic conservatives, who dominate the legislature in the constitutional monarchy, have long opposed political rights for women. Under pressure from the royal family, the conservatives gave in this week, but only after winning approval of an amendment that requires separate polling places for male and female voters. “Thank God, now we’ve got our rights,” said Siham Freih, a university professor. “Kuwait’s image was tarnished because women were taking part in all professional fields but were deprived of the vote.” Women can now vote in all Arab countries except Saudi Arabia.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Gandhi arrests: Narendra Modi's 'vendetta' against India's opposition
The Explainer Another episode threatens to spark uproar in the Indian PM's long-running battle against the country's first family
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Codeword: April 24, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff