First ever female minister in Kuwait

POLITICAL science teacher Massouma al-Mubarak yesterday became Kuwait's first ever female minister.

Ms Al-Mubarak, a women's rights activist and columnist, was given the planning and administrative development portfolios, the prime minister, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, was quoted as saying.

Her appointment became possible last month, when Parliament passed a law allowing women to vote and run for public office.