An analysis of changing gender relationships in Kuwait : empowering Kuwaiti women in social and political contexts

摘要

In this study, I focus on the changing gender relationships between women and men andon women’s political rights in Kuwaiti society in particular. Specifically, I measure Kuwaiticitizens’ attitudes toward Kuwaiti women in political roles after Kuwaiti women gained theirpolitical rights, especially after May 16, 2005. Gender relationships continue to change, and inorder to understand these changes it is important to examine the current cultural context in whichthey are occurring. This context includes political change, cultural development, the impact ofthe media and economic systems, as well as changing laws, religions, socialization, andglobalization. All of these factors influence gender relations in Kuwaiti society. This studyfocuses specifically on the way that political ideology and perceptions about gender roles impactattitudes toward political efficacy for women in Kuwait. This study focuses on Kuwaiti citizens’attitudes and perceptions about women’s political rights and changing gender relationships inKuwaiti society. The study uses survey data based on a random sampling of students at KuwaitUniversity, along with the snowball technique for the general population, taken from Kuwaitiemployees in public businesses. The data measure the attitudes of both of these populationstowards Kuwaiti women’s political rights.