| Sumario: | Thish paper examines the role of women in the development of Kuwait from a historic perspective starting from pre-oil situation of scarce resources to the state's economic affluence, following the oil boom, against the background of traditional, Islamic and customary practices that defined women's role in society, and restricted their participation beyond their prescribed domains of home and family. The study shows how the economic upturn and Kuwait's modernization led to the initiation of development programs opening doors for women's education and gainful employment in a predominantly patriarchal society. Thus, started the imperceptible process of change with the increasing acceptance of women's education and their eventual participation in jobs prescribed by society as “suitable” for women. Until then, women were viewed in their traditional role of home-makers, but advanced education facilitated their entry in governmental jobs and professions hitherto considered male domains. This brought about a process of change in male attitudes concerning their acceptance of women as co-workers and productive members of the society, who could contribute to the country's social and economic development. Today, women's education and employment are rapidly progressing, yet in sheer numbers, their percentage in workforce remains small. Besides, traditional barriers against women's education and employment, though relatively less rigid today than earlier, have not totally disappeared to give women the freedom and choice in matters concerning their education and careers. In addition, the rules and policies governing women's education and employment are still the prerogative of men, and their role other than that of mother, wife and daughter is still not fully defined, accepted or encouraged. Under this state of affairs, while women continue to make steady progress in education and employment spheres, the government's supposedly beneficial and welfare policies are adversely impacting on their early retirement at the peak of their productive span. This situation is fuelling state's continuous dependency on foreign labor force -- the very element which the policy makers are seeking to control and reverse. A “rethink” is therefore a critical need of our times to generate a climate of adjustments, thinking and realism in order to take advantage of the country's enormous, under-utilized female power as an inevitable need and a virtual necessity. This comes at a time when their efforts are also directed at seeking a voice of their own, establishing an identity of their own, pursuing their political rights and exploring ways to be equal and effective partners in the country's development.
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