MEPI-FUNDED REGIONAL CAMPAIGN SCHOOL BRINGS ARAB

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 KUWAIT 004325

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

FOR NEA/ARPI AND NEA/PI

E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KDEM KMPI KWMN PGOV PREL PINR KU XF WOMEN POLITICAL RIGHTS MEPI
SUBJECT: MEPI-FUNDED REGIONAL CAMPAIGN SCHOOL BRINGS ARAB
WOMEN TOGETHER TO STRENGTHEN THEIR POLITICAL SKILLS


1. (U) Summary. The National Democratic Institute (NDI)
held in Kuwait from September 25 - 28, the fourth regional
campaign school funded by the Middle East Partnership
Initiative (MEPI). "Partners in Participation" attracted
women activists from 14 countries in the Middle East and
North Africa. The goals of the four-day gathering were to
encourage women to become more politically active, introduce
them to their counterparts in other countries, and to
develop their campaign and advocacy skills. Speakers
included the Ambassador, who welcomed the group to Kuwait
and also hosted a September 26 reception in their honor;
Kuwaiti Minister of Planning and Minister of State for
Administrative Development Affairs Dr. Ma'souma Al-Mubarak;
former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell; NDI Regional
Director for Middle East and North Africa Les Campbell; and
Representative Jane Harman (D-CA). The campaign school
received positive, daily press coverage in Arabic and
English dailies, and attracted the attention of the Ministry
of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, which was holding a seminar
on family values in the same hotel, as well as other
embassies and organizations planning similar training
events. Conferees were enthusiastic about the workshops and
promised to maintain contact with each other through a
website created by the International Republican Institute
(IRI) which partnered with NDI for the event. End Summary.

The Workshop
--------------


2. (U) Working with the Kuwait Economic Society Women's
Committee and the Women's Social and Cultural Society, the
National Democratic Institute (NDI) held September 25 - 28
"Partners in Participation," the fourth regional women's
political participation and campaign academy. The workshop
brought together women from 14 countries from the Middle
East and North Africa to share experiences and participate
in workshops on campaign strategy, message development,
voter outreach, and media relations.

Women Share the Responsibility of Shaping Policy
-------------- ---

3. (U) Dr. Ma'souma Al-Mubarak, Kuwaiti Minister of
Planning and Minister of State for Administrative
Development Affairs and Kuwait's first female minister (also
from the minority Shi'a population),opened the conference
by acknowledging Kuwait's "delight" to host the meeting.
She encouraged the gathered women to seize the opportunity
to learn about political interaction skills and the
electoral process so that they could become effective
campaigners. Switching from English to Arabic, she stressed
the importance of campaign finance and encouraged women to
support other women. Commenting on the May 16 decision to
grant Kuwaiti women their full political rights, she said
their "role and status in society had changed" and Kuwaiti
women would "stand proudly beside their fellow citizens and
share the responsibility of making and running the country's
policies."

Using MEPI to Support Regional Reforms
--------------


4. (U) The Ambassador also welcomed the group and
expressed U.S. pleasure in supporting the conference through
a MEPI grant. He recounted successful MEPI programs in the
region since its 2002 creation and restated the U.S.
commitment to support the conferees in their reform efforts,
noting that there is no one-size-fits-all model for
democratization. Using Kuwait as an example, he told the
crowd that women's suffrage was achieved through the
collaboration of different groups - students, academics,
politicians, and activists - for one common goal. He
encouraged the women to follow the Kuwaiti example and work
together in pursuit of freedom, equality and liberty.

Breaking Down Barriers
--------------


5. (U) Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell delivered
the keynote address and spoke about her experiences as the
first female president of her high school student body, the
first Canadian woman to serve as Minister of Justice and
Minister of Defense (as the latter, she was the first female
Defense Minister from a NATO country),and the first
Canadian woman to become Prime Minister. Explaining that
although she did not want to only be known as the former PM,
she said she recognized that her successes and failures
could inspire others. Further commenting on the global
scarcity of women in senior political positions, she drew
from the social sciences and said from infancy, people
unconsciously develop ideas on gender roles based on their
surroundings and observations. Those who were children
during the Margaret Thatcher era have no problem accepting a
woman in a leadership role in contrast to others who see
women in non-traditional roles and view it as "an exception
to the rule." She encouraged women to break these
stereotypes by being visible, openly confronting women who
oppose women's political involvement, and being pragmatic
and strategic in promoting social and political changes.

"When Women Help Women, Women Win"
--------------


6. (U) Representative Jane Harman (D-CA) delivered the
closing address and talked about her experiences in running
for Congress and Governor of California. She encouraged the
participants to learn their issues and develop a clear
message, called on the more experienced and influential
women to mentor and guide younger activists, and asserted,
"When women help women, there's nothing we can't do." She
cautioned that the first race, as well as the second, is
hard to win, and advised women not to give in to defeat.
She also said that being a politician made her a better
mother because her children learned to follow their passion,
and being a mother made her a better politician because she
knew how to listen to the needs and concerns of her
constituents.

What Are Those Women Doing?
--------------


7. (SBU) There was ample press coverage all four days of
the workshop with the English-language papers giving full-
page coverage to the opening day. An article by
Representative Harman, posted on the blog site tpmcafe.com
was reprinted in its entirety, complete with reader
comments. In addition to the press, the conference
attracted the attention of local and international
organizations. The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic affairs
was holding a seminar on family values in the same hotel and
representatives repeatedly visited the conference rooms to
ask women what they were discussing and to distribute
brochures. Other embassies and the UNDP were also curious
about the participants and agenda as they were planning
similar activities. (Note: Post is in regular contact with
the UNDP about its activities to promote women's political
and social involvement. We have recommended that UNDP
activities, to be carried out in conjunction with the GOK,
complement, and not duplicate activities already underway
through MEPI. Additionally, on the margins of the
conference, IRI and the International Federation for
Election Systems (IFES) both visited Kuwait to discuss
program activities in advance of the 2007 parliamentary
elections in which women will vote and run for office for
the first time. End note.)


Comments on the Campaign School
--------------


8. (SBU) Kuwaiti and international participants were
generally positive in their assessment. All cited as the
highlight of the week the opportunity to meet other women
and the realization that they are not alone in the struggle
for equality. Although many women tended to segregate
themselves into groups - those wearing the hijab and abaya,
those wearing only the hijab, and the more secular - they
worked well together on exercises and listened closely to
messages about advocacy and the need to overcome religious
and cultural differences and cooperate on issues of mutual
interest. Kuwaiti Development Consultant Naima Al-Shayji
told PolChief that although she had participated in other
training opportunities, the lessons from this conference
resonated more because her political participation is now a
reality and no longer a concept. Other women confirmed they
will run for office.

Conference Participants
--------------


9. (SBU) Algeria:

Salima Maafri Epse Aissou, Leader of the Women's Section of
the Movement for a Peaceful Society (MSP)

Naima Draou Balhi, National Liberation Front (FLN)

Baya Djenane, Vice President of the Munipal Council of
Melbou

Meriem Ben Kherouf Lechneb, Leading member of the Women's
Section of the El-Islah Party

Fatma-Zohra Chabati Mansouri, Former Member of Parliament
and Trade Union Activist

Ouzna Cheikh Lousin Moula, Member of the Provincial Council
of Tizi Ouzou, Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD)


10. (SBU) Bahrain:

Wajeha Aloryed, Progressive Democratic Tribune

Sakina Al Ekry, Member of the Board of Al-Wefaq

Layla Rajab, Chairperson, Gulf Center for Democratic
Development

Wedad Jamsheer, National Democratic Action Society

Shoala Shakeeb, President, Al Mustaqbal Women's Society


11. (SBU) Egypt:

Abla Mohamed Omar El Hawary, General Manager of the Judicial
Committee of Suheig

Azza Soliman Mohamed, Journalist and Member, National
Democratic Party

Abir Hussein Mohamed Gabr Shalaby, General Coordinating
Assistant for the Democratic Capacity Building Project



12. (SBU) Iraq:

Entiessar Abdul Kareem, Member of the Human Rights and
Women's Rights Committee of the Council for Peace

Shula Ali Yasin, National Democratic Party

Bushrah H. Ali Al-Tamimi, Leader of the Women's Committee,
Islamic Fadila (Virtue) Party

Tavga Mohamad Ali Mahamad Salih, Member of the Central Shura
Council, Kurdistan Islamic Union


13. (SBU) Jordan:

Eryof Abdallah Musallam Alajwaleen, Director of Jordanian
Hashemite Fund for Human Development Community Center

Hiyam Al-Damra, Member of Al-Wasat Party

Hyaam Hasan Salem Al-Hweitat, Head of the Organizational
Department of the Municipality of Al-Hassa

Amneh Issa Salem Khasawneh, Founding Member of the Irbid
Province Branch of the Jordanian National Women's Committee

Raja Khater, Member of the Al-Wasat Party

Nour Saleh Mohammad Shannaq, Member of the Al-Ahd Party


14. (SBU) Kuwait:

Massouma Abdulla Al-Ali, Women's Social and Cultural Society

Fatima Al-Abdeli, Team Leader of the Health and Environment
HSE Group with the Kuwait Oil Company

Khawla Al-Alteegi, Teacher's Society

Nabeela Al-Anjari, Assist Undersecretary for Tourism

Laila Al-Awadi, Head of the Revision and Auditing Department
of the Ministry of Planning

Fatma, Al-B'dah, Al Islah

Najat AA Al-Hashash, Islamic Care, Women's Union

Salwa Al-Jasar, Assistant Professor with the Curriculum and
Instruction Department, College of Education, Kuwait
University, and General Director of Family Health

Lulwa Al-Mulla, Women's Social and Cultural Society
Tagreed Al-Mulla, Professor of Communications, Kuwait
University

Sheika Al-Nisif, Women's Social and Cultural Society

Shoaia Al-Qasabi, Kuwait Women's Society for Community
Services, Women's Union

Alanoud Al-Sharekh, Women's Social and Cultural Society

Shamael Al-Sharekh, Women's Social and Cultural Society

Bothaina Al-Thaaqeb, Bayader Al-Salam Society, Women's Union

Mariam Bushari, Kuwait Economic Society

Rola Dashti, Kuwait Economic Society

Kawther Al-Jouan, Member of the Kuwait Graduate Society

Khadija Al-Mohameed, Al Tawafik

Khalida Al-Mohamed, Al Tawafik


15. (SBU) Lebanon:

Maha Al-Azar, Media Relations Officer of Information and
Public Relations at the American University in Beirut

Mariam Al-Shami, Head of Arab Lawyers' Association

Doreen Khoury, Executive Director of the Lebanese
Association for Democratic Elections

Sophie Rouillard Butros


16. (SBU) Mauritania:

Naha Mint Moukhnass, President of the Union for Democracy
and Progress (UDP)


17. (SBU) Morocco:

Nezha Alaoui, Director of the SOS Center for Children Women
Victims of Violence in Kenitra

Naima Farah, Communal Councilor and Head of the Women's Wing
of the National Rally of Independents (RNI)

Jamila Moualdi, Coordinator of the Tanger Section of the
Alliance of Liberal Democrats and Member of the Central
Committee of the Alliance of Liberal Democrats

Houria Ouachach, Member of the Central Committee of the
Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS)


18. (SBU) Oman:

Rafiah Al-Talei, Journalist with the Oman Newspaper


19. (SBU) Qatar:

Shikha Yousef Al Gefery, Member of the Central Municipal
Council


20. (SBU) Saudi Arabia:

Manal Al-Sharif, Journalist with the Al-Watan Newspaper

Samar Fatany, Senior Announcer and Radio Journalist at Radio
Jeddah

Rajaa Mohammed, Program Analyst for Environmental Programs
with ARAMCO


21. (SBU) United Arab Emirates:

Ebtisam bin Howaiden Al-Kitbi, Assistant Professor in the
College of Humanities and Social Science at UAE University


22. (SBU) West Bank and Gaza:

Hafsa Arram, Leader in the Bloc of the Women's Struggle, the
Palestinian Popular Struggle Front

Amal Barghouthi, General Director, Working Palestinian
Women's Society for Development

Asil Khalifa, Director of Women and Child Affairs Department
in the Office of the Governor of Gaza

Asmahan Malaki, Coordinator of Women's Activities in Rural
Areas, Palestinian Democratic Union (FIDA)

Farha Natour, Chairwoman of "Not to Forget" Palestinian
Women's Association in Jenin


23. (SBU) Yemen

Bilqis Abu Osbo'a, Assistant Professor of Political Science

Asma Mohamed Othman Thabet Al-Ademi, Member of the Islah
Party

Rahma Mohamed Saleh Sharaby, Director of Women's Committee
of the General People's Congress (GPC)

Ebtisam Ahmed Abdul Rahman Qarhash, Program Controller,
Cultural Development Programs Establishment

Saadah Saeed Mohammed Olayah, Member of the Central
Committee of the Nasserite Party

Aziza Sharaf Hameed Abdullah, Member of the Central
Committee of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP)

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