Lawmakers in Kuwait have approved legislation allowing women to take part in
| Two fully covered Kuwaiti women walk by inside a shopping mall in Salmiya |
The parliamentary move is a step toward amending Kuwait's 1962 election law so women can enter politics, a subject of heated debate in the small Gulf emirate.
Kuwait's constitution gives men and women equal rights, but the election law has limited the right to vote and run for office to men over 21 who are not in the police or the military.
Fundamentalists and conservative tribal leaders are concerned women will neglect duties at home if they are permitted to vote and run as candidates.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.