Stock market opens to women

Kuwait City, Kuwait

Kuwait’s stock exchange set up a separate room for women this week, allowing female shareholders to participate directly in their own trading. The floor of the stock exchange has always been open only to men, and women have had to buy and sell shares over the phone or through a relative. Now, though, “they will be able to come and sit at their ease, discuss market information, and watch their own investments,” said Wafa Alrasheed, a spokeswoman for the exchange. Kuwaiti women have more access to professional education than most Arab women, and many hold top business and even government jobs. But they still can’t vote.