Limited Female Suffrage Law Clears Hurdle

Kuwait's parliament gave initial approval to a measure that would allow women to vote and stand in municipal elections, a major step that has fueled hopes for wider female suffrage.

The National Assembly will meet again in two weeks for a final vote. If the bill passes, the emir, widely known to support women's rights, is expected to sign it into law.

The government has introduced a bill that would grant full female suffrage, including the right to run or vote in parliamentary elections, but it has yet to be approved. In 1999, a similar bill was narrowly defeated.