Kuwait bans women working at night

While equality between genders is increasing in the gulf, some countries are recording setbacks. Last month legislation in the United Arab Emirates was paving the way for flexible working, precisely to allow women to pursue careers and retain their traditionally family roles. This month however, the Kuwaiti parliament has passed a blanket law which prohibits women from working between 8pm and 7am. Moreover, women have been entirely banned from working in jobs that “contravene public morals and in all-male services places.” Limiting a woman’s ability to enter gainful employment disregards the reality of choices women face and denies them their self-determination; if underlining family values is the goal, then Kuwait would be better served to follow the UAE’s lead.