DOHA - Official results from Kuwait’s general election show four women have won seats in parliament for the first time in the Gulf state’s history.

The results from Saturday’s election also were a setback for Kuwaiti Islamists, whose share of the 50-member assembly fell from almost half to just 16.

Kuwait has led the Gulf region in granting its citizens political rights. Women earned the right to vote and run for parliament in 2005 but had failed to win any seats in two previous elections.

The four winning female candidates include former health minister Massouma al-Mubarak, a minority Shi’ite who was appointed Kuwait’s first female minister in 2005. The others include liberal activists Aseel al-Awadhi and Rola Dashti and university teacher Salwa al-Jassar.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah called the election after dissolving parliament in March to end a standoff between lawmakers and ministers.

It was the second time the emir had disbanded the legislature in a year. Kuwaiti lawmakers have accused the ruling-family-dominated Cabinet of corruption and opposed its economic plans.

The political turmoil has delayed a parliamentary vote on a $5 billion economic stimulus package aimed at helping Kuwait’s financial sector cope with the global financial crisis.

Kuwait is a parliament democracy but has no officially recognized political parties. It is the world’s fourth-largest oil producer.

Source:  VOA News