Kuwait continues to highlight the importance of women in its development strategy. However, the Kuwaiti women and Vision 2035 goals still face major challenges. Despite strong ambitions, real progress toward gender inclusion remains slow.
Since 2010, national development plans have called for women’s empowerment across economic and social sectors. Each plan has pushed for more women in the workforce, stronger support for female entrepreneurs, and greater representation in leadership.
The 2015–2020 Medium-Term Development Plan placed special focus on women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It aimed to provide legal, financial, and logistical tools to help women grow their businesses and fuel the economy.
Yet, the outcomes have not matched the targets. Official data shows that men still dominate decision-making roles in government and development sectors. Women remain underrepresented in senior positions despite being highly qualified and active in many industries.
Cultural and institutional barriers slow down the pace of change. Many organizations still lack policies that support women through their mid- to late-career stages. The workplace environment often does not fully welcome women in leadership roles.
Compared to regional neighbors, Kuwaiti women and Vision 2035 outcomes seem mixed. The UAE has made major gains, with women making up 66% of government employees, many in high-ranking roles. Saudi Arabia has nearly doubled its female workforce participation within five years.
In contrast, Kuwait has only made gradual improvements. According to recent data, only 28% of senior positions in Kuwait are held by women. While this shows some progress, experts say it is still far from ideal.
Kuwaiti women continue to excel in fields like education, finance, and public service. Still, they face structural limits that hold them back from reaching the top.
Observers argue that if Kuwait truly wants to meet its Kuwaiti women and Vision 2035 targets, the government must take bold steps. These include creating gender-focused policies, reforming hiring practices, and promoting women into key leadership roles.
Without these changes, Vision 2035 may fall short. Inclusion must go beyond words. Women must become equal partners in driving Kuwait’s future. The next stage of development depends on this shift.
