Rasha al-Sabah

1950 -

Advocate for women's rights in Kuwait.

Rasha al-Sabah, a member of Kuwait's ruling family, was born 18 November 1950. She received a bach-elor's degree from the University of Birmingham (U.K.) in 1972, and a master's degree and doctorate from Yale University in 1974 and 1977 respectively. At Kuwait University she became the head of the University Language Center in 1977, a dean in 1982, and a vice rector for community service and information in 1985. Rasha is well-known as a champion of women's rights at home and as a spokeswoman for her country abroad. A cousin of Amir Jabir al-Ahmad, she is among his most trusted advisors. Currently she holds the position of undersecretary of higher education. She also served as Kuwait's deputy ambassador to the United Nations from 1990 to 1994. She was a prominent supporter of the amir's controversial May 1999 initiative to confer full political rights on Kuwaiti women and was openly disappointed when the National Assembly voted it down twice in November 1999. An innovative advocate of women's interests, she opened the first mixed-sex diwaniyya in Kuwait, where both women and men participate weekly in conversations at her home about the issues of the day. Rasha is the recipient of a number of honors, including a Doctor of Laws conferred in 1997 by Richmond University in London.

Bibliography

Rush, Alan de Lacy. Al-Sabah: Genealogy and History of Kuwait'sRuling Family, 1752 - 1986. London and Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Ithaca Press, 1987.

— MARY ANN TÉTREAULT